Aerial view of the Tijuana River crossing the Mexico-US border -marked by a line on the river bank (R)- as seen from Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico, on March 14, 2020. - April 22, 2020 commemorates the 50th anniversary of the World Earth Day. (Photo by GUILLERMO ARIAS / AFP) (Photo by GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP via Getty Images)
A recent survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lays out significant health concerns among South Bay residents due to ongoing sewage pollution from the Tijuana River. The Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER), carried out in October 2024, contains interviews with 189 households in communities like San Ysidro, Nestor, and Imperial Beach. The findings were discussed on February 4, 2025, by San Diego County’s interim public health officer, Dr. Ankita Kadakia, during a Health Services Advisory Board meeting.
The survey revealed that nearly 70% of participants reported experiencing health symptoms they attributed to polluted water and air from the Tijuana River Valley. Many residents cited headaches, nausea, upset stomach, coughing, and throat irritation as common complaints. Additionally, 80% of respondents felt that pollution had negatively impacted their quality of life, and 67% noted a decline in their overall health in recent
years. Eighteen percent reported seeking medical care for symptoms they believed were related to the sewage crisis.
Environmental exposure was another major concern, with over 70% of surveyed residents stating they could detect sewage odors inside their homes, particularly worsening at night. Many also reported changing their daily behaviors due to the contamination, with 65% avoiding areas near the river and beach waters, 59% experiencing increased stress levels, and 28% switching their drinking water sources.
Dr. Kadakia emphasized the importance of the survey results, stating, “These results validate the concerns residents of the South Bay have been voicing and the real impacts the sewage contamination is having on people’s lives, physical and mental health.” In response to the findings, the county has proposed several initiatives, including expanding public health information campaigns through social media, educating residents on drinking water safety testing, promoting mental health resources, and collaborating with local veterinarians to address potential impacts on pets.
Following the CASPER survey, the CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry conducted an additional study in November 2024, surveying 2,150 individuals who frequent areas near the Tijuana River Valley and South San Diego County. The results from this assessment are expected in the coming months.
