On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, the San Diego City Council took significant steps to address the long-standing sewage crisis affecting the Tijuana River Valley. With unanimous support, the council passed a resolution calling on the federal government to declare the situation a national emergency.
This resolution is not just symbolic; it aims to bring national attention and resources to what has been described as decades of neglect. Residents of the affected areas have been living with the consequences of raw sewage flowing across the border from Mexico, leading to health concerns and quality of life issues. This request for urgent federal action is particularly pressing as the river valley has seen 31 consecutive years of emergency declarations related to sewage outflows.
During the council meeting, numerous residents voiced their frustrations and desperation, with some presenting signs reading, "We can’t breathe" and "The smell is making us sick." One resident shared, "I can’t stand the smell anymore ... I just can’t," reflecting the overwhelming sentiment echoed by many who live near the Tijuana River.
At the helm of this initiative is District 8 Councilmember Vivian Moreno, who empathized with the struggles of her constituents. Moreno, who has long represented South Bay communities including Nestor and San Ysidro, expressed her own fears for her child's health amid this crisis. "We’re left feeling like the federal government has forgotten about us," she stated, stressing the need for immediate action.
Imperial Beach’s Mayor, Paloma Aguirre, also shared her experiences, noting how her recent hospitalization due to lung inflammation was intertwined with the toxic air quality emanated from the sewage crisis. "I actually thought I was having a heart attack," she revealed, highlighting the alarming health threats posed to residents. Medical professionals have echoed these fears, with concerns surfacing about hydrogen sulfide levels—an odorless gas released from sewage—that can lead to severe respiratory issues.
Speaking of these health concerns, the city has seen apathy from higher levels of government, with many South Bay residents questioning where the federal funding intended for infrastructure improvements has gone. A significant concern is the inadequate maintenance of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, which has been overwhelmed with contamination spilling over from Tijuana’s failing sewage systems.
The persistence of this crisis was cemented by shocking statistics: since late 2018, over 200 billion gallons of toxic waste has been documented entering the U.S. through the Tijuana River Valley. Yet, out of the $40 million allocated for infrastructure improvements identified back then, only $4 million has been utilized. This stark reality has fueled anger among residents who demand accountability and action.
Following the approval of the resolution, City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera expressed frustration over the lack of federal assistance. "Over the last three decades, the federal government has said [the people of the South Bay] don’t matter enough to take action," he lamented. Moreno’s resolution aims to alleviate this sense of abandonment, requesting complete funding from the Environmental Protection Agency for long-term infrastructure solutions to pollution.
Given the pressing nature of this crisis, U.S. Senators and Representatives have also pushed for legislative relief. Senator Alex Padilla and Rep. Juan Vargas introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at streamlining infrastructure projects related to the Tijuana River and New River watersheds under the EPA's purview. This step intends to cut through the bureaucratic red tape and expedite much-needed restorations.
Padilla has been vocal about the urgency of these issues, stating, "It should be an outrage to all of us...raw sewage and toxic waste are shutting down public beaches, polluting air, and threatening the health of our families and military readiness." The potential impact of this crisis resonates not only with locals but with broader national security concerns, considering the proximity to military installations.
Community-wide initiatives are also being launched. Following recent health scares related to elevated noxious gases, local officials, including Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, have urged nearby cities to contribute funding for air purifiers, aiming to relieve the myriad health issues stemming from the polluted air. Her commitment to match donations with county grants exemplifies the community's determination to safeguard public health.
The situation continues to evolve; just this past week, construction began on improvement projects at the wastewater treatment facility, funded by federal investments facilitated by local Congressional representatives. Chairwoman Vargas noted these improvements as important steps toward achieving cleaner air and safer open spaces after many years of neglect.
Despite the progress made, the fight against the pollution crisis is far from over. Residents remain skeptical of promises and impatient for tangible results. They continue to rally for the acknowledgment of their plight, pushing for stronger, lasting solutions to prevent future health crises and environmental degradation.
The urgency of the situation has never been more glaring. The San Diego City Council’s resolution is only the start of what residents hope will lead to proactive and effective federal action to resolve both the health and environmental threats posed by the Tijuana sewage crisis. For those living along the border, every day without resolution is another day filled with foul odors and health risks, turning life along the river valley from just uncomfortable to unbearable.
