DATE:
May 6, 2025
18
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
SUPPORTING NEW TOOLS TO ADDRESS THE TIJUANA RIVER SEWAGE CRISIS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
When the smell of raw sewage forces teachers to run air purifiers during class and makes lifeguards sick just doing their jobs, you know we're facing more than just a beach closure problem. The Tijuana River sewage crisis is polluting the air we breathe, threatening our public health, and disrupting everyday life across San Diego County, especially in communities that have borne the brunt of cross-border pollution for decades.
For years, South County residents have endured the devastating impacts of raw sewage flowing into the Tijuana River Valley and nearby coastlines, with billions of gallons contaminating our waterways, parks, and communities. This crisis has already led to over 1,000 consecutive days of beach closures, threatening public health, hurting small businesses, and putting working people, from lifeguards to military personnel, directly in harm's way.
Thanks to the steadfast leadership of our San Diego Congressional delegation, the region has secured $650 million in federal funding to modernize the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant - a hard-fought and long-overdue investment. This funding provides a critical boost for capital improvements, long-term operations, and maintenance of the plant that has historically been underfunded.
At the same time, Congressional leadership under Speaker Mike Johnson is advancing shortsighted cuts to clean water, public health, and infrastructure, putting additional pressure on state and local governments to step up. In the face of these challenges, our region must be ready with every available tool to protect public health and the safety of our coastline.
Two key bills now advancing will help us do exactly that:
* State Senate Bill 10, introduced by State Senator Steve Padilla, would authorize SANDAG to dedicate revenue from the s...
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