San Diego County has taken a significant step toward addressing the long-standing pollution crisis along the Tijuana River, approving a plan to build a local capture and treatment system on American soil.
The initiative, passed by the Board of Supervisors in a 4–1 vote, aims to intercept contaminated flows before they reach southern county communities and coastal waters.
The proposal, introduced by Supervisors Paloma Aguirre and Terra Lawson-Remer, will unfold in three phases in response to a decades-old challenge that has affected residents in the South Bay region.
“We won’t stand by as our South San Diego neighbor’s health and wellbeing continues to be threatened by harmful pollution,” Aguirre said in a statement.
$1.8 Million Allocated for Initial Phase
The first phase of the project will receive $1.8 million in funding, allocated to the Department of Public Works to oversee planning and development.
The goal is to give the county greater control over polluted runoff before it reaches residential areas and the Pacific coastline.
While existing wastewater infrastructure on both sides of the border captures and treats some of the sewage originating in Mexico, these systems are insufficient to handle the full volume of contaminated water flowing through the river.
Additional Funding Sought for Infrastructure Upgrades on Saturn Boulevard
Aguirre and Lawson-Remer have also requested $4 million for design, environmental review, and permissions to replace aging sewer pipes beneath Saturn Boulevard, near the Tijuana River.
The project is intended to improve water flow through the channel and reduce turbulence, which has been linked to the release of hazardous gases into the air.
An earlier allocation of $2.5 million was already approved for repairs to existing infrastructure in the same area, with construction expected to be completed by next year.
A Long Road Ahead
Aguirre cautioned that resolving the pollution crisis will take years and will require sustained funding and coordination across local, state, and federal agencies.
She acknowledged recent binational agreements between the U.S. and Mexico but expressed disappointment with the level of engagement from both the Biden and Trump administrations.
She also criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for not declaring a state of emergency over the Tijuana River contamination.
Aguirre reaffirmed that county officials remain committed to working alongside Mexican authorities and the U.S. federal government to mitigate the ongoing threat posed by toxic water flows.
