Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis

The San Diego County is intensifying its response to the public health crisis caused by raw sewage flowing from Tijuana, Mexico, into the Tijuana River Valley, which has led to over 1,000 days of beach closures. The County has partnered with the CDC to conduct a comprehensive health assessment, known as a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER), to evaluate the health impacts of sewage exposure on local residents. The Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act of 2024 has been introduced by California Sen. Alex Padilla and other local leaders to streamline federal efforts in addressing this crisis by designating the EPA as the lead agency. This legislation aims to consolidate infrastructure efforts in the region and enhance coordination among various agencies. Residents have expressed growing concerns over the health effects of the contamination, including respiratory issues and gastrointestinal illnesses, as well as economic impacts from closed beaches. Local officials continue to advocate for urgent federal assistance to mitigate this environmental and public health emergency.