A recent report from the Inspector General has uncovered significant health risks faced by Navy SEALs training in the sewage-contaminated waters off San Diego.
The study found that 76% of water samples taken during training sessions contained bacteria levels exceeding safety standards, exposing SEALs to serious health issues. Over 1,100 cases of acute gastrointestinal illnesses—including nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting—were reported among SEAL trainees linked to polluted water exposure. Dr. Tom Csanadi, a South Bay physician familiar with the contamination, noted that while many illnesses are self-limiting, some can lead to hospitalization or chronic health problems.
Dr. Tom Csanadi, a 30 veteran of the medical field who lives in the South Bay explained:
It just validates a lot of our concerns that everybody knows of all the time swimming here. Most of the illnesses are going to be self-limiting and they’ll get better, but not all of them, and you can’t predict which ones will go on to cause hospitalization or chronic health problems.
In response, the Assistant Inspector General for Evaluations Programs has recommended that the Navy develop policies to monitor water quality and adjust training schedules or locations when bacteria levels are unsafe. The Navy has agreed to implement these recommendations by the end of the year, acknowledging the need to protect the health of its elite forces while adhering to federal procedures.
