The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $1.34 million to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to reduce hazardous waste and support environmental cleanup projects along the Mexico border.  

This year’s funding will go toward the Border 2020: U.S.-Mexico Environmental Program. ADEQ will also use funds to support sustainable materials management practices as well as a fuel-efficient fleet, general energy efficiency and a sustainable water infrastructure.

“These funds help ensure hazardous waste is properly regulated in Arizona and the border area,” Alexis Strauss, EPA’s acting regional administrator for the Pacific Southwest, said. “Arizona has successfully reduced hazardous waste along the border that impacted our public health and safety, shared waters and wildlife habitats.”

Last year’s funds cleaned 29 tons of trash and potential hazardous waste in the Nogales Wash. This effort funded an assessment of trash-cleanup needs in the Ambos Nogales border region. Cleanups were prioritized based on several factors including the amount of debris and the proximity to aging sewer lines. The Nogales Wash cleanup averted a potential sewer line break. It also removed debris such as clothing, plastic, rubber tubing, car parts, construction debris, plants and metal.