Nogales Wastewater Improvement Act of 2023

This bill modifies a 1953 wastewater agreement to limit the City of Nogales, Arizona’s share of costs for the Nogales sanitation project to only those directly tied to treating and conveying its own wastewater. It transfers full ownership and control of the International Outfall Interceptor pipeline (which carries wastewater from both Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Mexico) to the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) after required agreements with Arizona and the city. The bill authorizes $6.5 million for IBWC operations in 2025 and $8 million for a debris screen at Manhole One to intercept debris and drug bundles from Mexico. It also limits liability under the Federal Tort Claims Act for overflow claims related to wastewater originating in Mexico. The changes take effect October 1, 2024.