(Image Credit: IMAGN) A sign along the Arroyo Simi in Moorpark warns of possible sewage contamination on Thursday, May 4, 2023. County officials recently detected a sewer line break that has sent millions of gallons of raw sewage into the channel.
San Diego County, California – San Diego County residents are grappling with a persistent environmental and public health crisis, and California lawmakers are pushing for immediate federal attention. A bipartisan group, including Reps. Scott Peters and Juan Vargas, and Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, have formally invited newly confirmed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin to witness the devastating impact of cross-border sewage contamination firsthand.
The crux of the issue lies with the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, a facility burdened by decades of underinvestment. This plant, designed to treat wastewater from Tijuana, Mexico, under an international treaty, has struggled to keep pace with the sheer volume of untreated sewage flowing across the border. The result? A relentless stream of polluted water impacting Imperial Beach and surrounding communities, contaminating beaches and posing serious health risks.
The problem isn’t just about water quality. The unchecked flow of sewage, laden with chemicals and pathogens, has created an airborne health hazard, further compounding the misery of residents. “Years of underfunding got us to the point that our wastewater treatment plant was dilapidated, allowing sewage to flow through our communities and onto our beaches unabated,” stated Rep. Peters.
The lawmakers’ letter to Zeldin emphasizes the urgency of the situation, highlighting that “decades of underinvestment in cross-border wastewater infrastructure have led to the flow of untreated sewage into San Diego.” While recent federal allocations, including $156 million in last year’s spending package, have provided some relief, they fall short of the total funds needed for a comprehensive overhaul. The funds are allocated to the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), a joint U.S.-Mexican entity.
The invitation to Zeldin comes after Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre voiced renewed concerns about the intensifying crisis. Lawmakers are determined to ensure that the new EPA leadership understands the “scope of this environmental catastrophe and their role in addressing the public health and environmental harm.”
Zeldin, in a recent post on social media platform X, acknowledged the issue, stating, “Mexico is dumping large amounts of raw sewage into the Tijuana River, and it’s now seeping into the U.S. This is unacceptable. Mexico MUST honor its commitments to control this pollution and sewage!”
The EPA has confirmed receipt of the lawmakers’ letter and the invitation to visit the treatment plant, promising a response through official channels. The lawmakers are hoping that direct exposure to the crisis will spur decisive action.
The letter stresses that “EPA, working with the International Boundary and Water Commission, will play a critical role in addressing these issues and helping the region recover from decades of pollution and environmental degradation.” For residents facing beach closures and health concerns, the hope is that the EPA’s response will translate into tangible solutions and a renewed commitment to environmental justice.
