Tijuana River Sewage Crisis Threatens San Diego Communities

Sewage Overflow from Tijuana River Sparks Outrage

On April 8, 2025, San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond appeared on 'The Ingraham Angle' to address a longstanding and worsening issue affecting Southern California communities: the sewage crisis in the Tijuana River. This problem, originating across the border in Mexico, has led to massive amounts of untreated waste flowing into San Diego County, particularly impacting areas like Imperial Beach. Desmond detailed the severity of the situation, emphasizing the health risks and quality-of-life concerns for local residents who are forced to endure contaminated beaches and polluted air.

The discussion highlighted how this issue has persisted for decades, with billions of gallons of raw sewage crossing into the United States. Recent reports indicate that as much as 50 million gallons of untreated sewage and industrial waste flow daily from Tijuana into southern San Diego County. This has resulted in frequent beach closures, with some areas like Imperial Beach shuttered for over 900 consecutive days due to contamination, severely affecting local tourism and recreation.

Health and Community Impact Discussed at the 2:15 Mark

During the segment around the 2:15 timestamp, Desmond expressed his frustration with the lack of effective action to curb this crisis. He described the situation as 'absolutely disgusting,' pointing out that the sewage water carries not just waste but also garbage like tires, plastics, and diapers. This debris compounds the problem, creating a visible and hazardous mess along the border region. The supervisor stressed that this is more than an inconvenience—it’s a public health ticking time bomb, polluting both air and water in communities that deserve better protection.

Residents of South Bay areas have reported worsening odors, especially during recent repair efforts on the Mexican side that diverted even more wastewater into the river. These conditions have led to documented health risks, with locals falling ill from exposure to contaminated water and air. The economic toll is also significant, as closed beaches deter visitors and hurt businesses reliant on coastal tourism.

Federal and Local Response Falls Short

At approximately the 4:30 point in the interview, the conversation turned to the response—or lack thereof—from government entities. Desmond criticized the insufficient measures taken to address the failing wastewater infrastructure in Tijuana, which has been overwhelmed by population growth. While there have been commitments from federal and state officials to rehabilitate and expand wastewater treatment facilities, progress remains slow. For instance, in 2023, the federal government pledged support following advocacy from California leaders, but tangible results are still pending for many affected areas.

San Diego County officials have recently backed legislative efforts to accelerate funding and infrastructure projects aimed at resolving the crisis. However, Desmond underscored that these initiatives often get bogged down in bureaucracy, leaving communities to bear the brunt of the pollution. He called for more immediate and decisive action to protect American citizens from this cross-border issue, reflecting a broader sentiment of urgency among local leaders.

Ongoing Challenges and Future Concerns

The Tijuana River sewage crisis is not a new problem, but its scale has escalated in recent years. Since 2018, over 100 billion gallons of raw sewage, trash, and stormwater have flowed into San Diego, according to local estimates. Storms exacerbate the situation, sending massive surges of waste across the border, as seen in recent weather events that pushed billions of gallons into California. These incidents highlight the urgent need for a long-term solution to prevent further degradation of the Tijuana River Estuary and surrounding areas.

Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre has proposed small local steps to mitigate the impact while awaiting comprehensive fixes, but many residents and officials agree that these are stopgap measures at best. The frustration is palpable among those who live near the affected areas, with posts on social media platforms echoing Desmond’s disgust and calling for accountability from both American and Mexican authorities.

As this crisis continues to unfold, it remains a stark reminder of the challenges at our southern border that directly affect American lives. The administration under President Donald J. Trump has shown a commitment to addressing border-related issues, and there is hope among many that renewed focus will bring about the necessary infrastructure investments and diplomatic efforts to resolve this public health disaster. For now, San Diego County residents continue to wait for relief from a problem that has gone unresolved for far too long.