San Diego Officials Seek Federal Help With Tijuana Sewage Crisis

Raw sewage from Tijuana, Mexico, flowing into ocean waters along the southern San Diego County coastline has closed beaches for more than 1,000 consecutive days, prompting California officials to ask for emergency help Sept. 5. Beaches in southern San Diego County closed to the public on Dec. 8, 2021, when local health officials first declared bacteria in the water had reached a level that threatened public health. In the last five years, officials estimate that 100 billion gallons of toxic sewage, trash, and stormwater have flowed from Mexico into the Tijuana River Valley and neighboring U.S. communities. California Sen. Alex Padilla joined congressional Reps. Scott Peters and Juan Vargas, both representing San Diego, at a press conference Thursday to announce newly introduced legislation to target the crisis, which mostly affects residents in the Coronado and South Bay areas....