STATEMENT: Gabaldón applauds quick response to International Outfall Interceptor breach near Nogales

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX Rep. Rosanna Gabaldón, D-Sahuarita (District 2), released the following statement regarding Gov.  Doug Ducey's declaration of a state of emergency in Santa Cruz County in response to a breach in the International Outfall Interceptor, a sewer line that conveys millions of gallons of raw sewage and industrial waste each day from Nogales, Sonora and Nogales, Arizona to the Nogales International Wastewater Treatment Plant in Rio Rico, Arizona:

"I am pleased that Governor Ducey acted in a decisive and timely manner to assist the citizens of Santa Cruz County and the City of Nogales in responding to the breach of the International Outfall Interceptor.  The resulting contamination of the Nogales Wash and the Santa Cruz River poses a serious risk to public health and safety.  I am encouraged by the cooperation of federal, state and local agencies that are addressing the ongoing crisis.

"This breach is another indication that a more permanent solution is needed to improve this aging infrastructure.  The current efforts underway to temporarily repair the International Outfall Interceptor will only offer short-term protection for the residents of the City of Nogales and Santa Cruz County.  Without a long-term agreement on the source of funding for rehabilitation and maintenance, those who live near the wash who endured this crisis before will more than likely endure it again."

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