Date:
September 1, 2026
14
To:
Board of Supervisors
Title
Advancing Infrastructure at the Saturn Boulevard Hot Spot to Reduce Tijuana River Valley Toxic Air Pollution (Districts: All)
End
Overview
The Tijuana River Valley (TJRV) and surrounding communities continue to experience severe impacts from untreated sewage, toxic urban runoff, and noxious airborne emissions from the Tijuana River, resulting in recurring contamination of coastal waters and nearby neighborhoods. These conditions pose significant risks to public health, degrade environmental resources, and disrupt local economic activity in coastal and border-adjacent communities.
A major focus of the County's five-point response has been working to address the pollution "hot spot" at Saturn Boulevard, where stagnant, contaminated river flows create heavy foaming and release dangerous levels of hydrogen sulfide into the air, making nearby residents sick.
Although the Saturn Boulevard culvert is located within the City of San Diego, the County is stepping up because of the urgency of the TJRV crisis and the immediate public health threat from toxic air pollution. The County and City are working together on agreements needed to advance both near-term mitigation and a permanent infrastructure solution. The County is moving quickly to reduce pollution at Saturn Boulevard now, while doing the advance work needed to deliver a permanent solution as soon as construction funding is secured.
In 2025, the Board funded a study of solutions for the Saturn Boulevard hot spot. Completed in January 2026, it recommended extending the existing culvert pipes as a practical near-term measure to keep the outfalls submerged and reduce harmful emissions. The Board approved $2.5 million for the project and directed staff to move quickly toward implementation. The County and City of San Diego signed an agreement in June to advance design, permitting, access, and future maintenance. Design is now underway, with con...
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