DATE:
January 28, 2026
15
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
RECEIVE UPDATE FROM THE AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE ON TIJUANA RIVER SEWAGE CRISIS INCLUDING SATURN BOULEVARD INFRASTRUCTURE AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL HEALTH STUDY (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The Tijuana River Valley (TJRV) and surrounding South Bay communities continue to experience severe impacts from untreated sewage, urban runoff, and toxic airborne emissions, resulting in recurring contamination of coastal waters and nearby neighborhoods. These conditions continue to pose significant risks to public health, environmental resources, and economic activity across affected cities and unincorporated communities.
In response, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board), has proclaimed a local emergency and in coordination with regional, State, and federal partners, has advanced a series of actions. Since the Board's most recent update, efforts have focused on advancing studies and implementation planning intended to better quantify impacts and inform near- and long-term response strategies.
On September 30, 2025 (3), staff returned to the Board with updates on multiple actions, including air quality interventions, the County Pollution Crisis Chief position, planning for the epidemiological health study, and the Saturn Boulevard feasibility study. At that time, staff committed to continuing work through the Ad Hoc Subcommittee to refine implementation plans for priority initiatives, ensuring alignment with Board direction and community needs.
Building on prior Board actions including the adoption of a five-point response framework, under the leadership of the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on the Tijuana River Sewage Crisis, staff have made progress on a number of key initiatives as directed by the Board. These include identifying a path forward for an epidemiological public health impact study, initiation of an economic impact study to assess losses associated with the sewage crisis, and advancement...
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