A solution may be in sight to stop the current overflow of wastewater containing raw sewage from Mexico into the Nogales Wash.

Wastewater from the Los Alisos Wastewater Treatment Plant in Nogales, Sonora, has been intermittently flowing across the border into the Nogales Wash since mid-January. Four out of the five pumps are not functioning at the plant, and each pump costs over $100,000 to replace.

The mayor of Nogales, Sonora, Jesús Pujol Irastorza, says that the Mexican government, with support from the Mexican and U.S. partners of the International Boundary Water Commission, purchased new motors for the pumps and expects the problem to be fixed soon, although he could not a provide an exact date. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: The headline and story have been modified to clarify the pump motors are being replaced.