News / Articles

Please join us for a Coast Keeper presentation on Understanding The
Tijuana River Border Pollution- Tuesday, June 16 th @ 4:00 pm. Find the
zoom link on the LWV San Diego website calendar lwvsandiego

Even with all of the attention the Tijuana River sewage crisis has received over
the past couple of years, it remains a critical environmental and public health
emergency that disproportionately impacts residents in South Bay San Diego.
The Tijuana River remains the most polluted watershed in the U.S. and pollutes
beaches from Imperial Beach to Coronado, Mexican beaches to the south and
the Tijuana River Estuary. As of September 2024, Imperial Beach California had
over 1000 consecutive days of beach closures.

Tijuana River pollution does not just affect residents in San Diego; it also affects
national security operations. As the river runs along an international border,
Border Patrol agents, Navy SEALs, Lifeguards and first responders who conduct
water rescues are exposed to the hazardous waste.

We now know that the river pollution is aerosolized through breaking waves and
bubbling in the river, transforming waterborne sewage into the air. Studies by
UCSD and SDSU researchers found that up to 75% of bacteria in the air at
Imperial Beach comes from this water-to-air transfer, which includes bacteria,
viruses, and chemicals. Studies have measured hydrogen sulfide levels in
nearby residential areas at concentration levels hundreds of times higher than
state and federal health standards, leading to reports of nausea, respiratory
issues, and chronic health concerns among the local population including
children.

San Diego County has developed a dashboard to monitor and provide a full
picture of the Tijuana River Valley conditions. This includes data on hydrogen
sulfide, beach closure, and air quality complaints. SD County Environmental
Dashboard

The League of Women Voters (LWV) San Diego is a member of the Tijuana
River Coalition, a local group dedicated to raising awareness and driving
actionable solutions for clean water, clean air, and safe, equitable access to our
outdoor spaces. Tijuana River Coalition
Through SEAC and the LWV North County Water Interest Group, we are
committed to educating our members on the coalition advocacy efforts
addressing this bi-national crisis.

SEAC invites you to join in as we continue to provide information on the progress
made by the County of San Diego, the Environmental Protection Agency and the
International Boundary & Water Commission (IBWC) in addressing this complex
issue. Please mark the Coast Keeper presentation on your calendar and join us
as we continue to gain a deeper understanding of the past, present and future of
one of the most pressing issues in San Diego County.