Tijuana River sewage pollution mitigation efforts

San Diego County officials have moved to address long-standing raw sewage pollution in the Tijuana River through a multi-billion dollar infrastructure proposal. The plan focuses on designing and building a treatment plant on the U.S. side of the border to capture contaminated water before it impacts local communities, schools, and beaches.

To fund these efforts, supervisors have proposed utilizing nearly $1 billion in bonds, potentially supported by the ‘Protect San Diego County Health and Safety Act’. This proposed half-cent sales tax, which voters would decide on in November, could generate approximately $80 million annually specifically for Tijuana River improvements.

Following the initial proposal, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved the multi-phase plan in a 4-1 vote. The approved funding includes $1.8 million for the design of a local diversion and treatment system and $4 million to repair deteriorating underground pipes on Saturn Boulevard, a location where pollution can become aerosolized. While the majority supported the measure to mitigate health risks and beach closures, one supervisor dissented, arguing that the county should form a coalition with other affected cities rather than acting alone.