The contamination crisis in the Tijuana River watershed has reached a critical point following recent storms in Southern California, which overwhelmed wastewater infrastructure and sent polluted flows into the ocean.

During peak rainfall, treatment systems in the South Bay region were forced to temporarily suspend operations due to the high volume of runoff, consisting of sewage, sediment, and debris. Although operations have since resumed, the environmental and public health impacts persist.

County officials report that toxicity levels in both water and air in nearby areas, including Imperial Beach, have reached unprecedented levels. In particular, there has been a significant increase in hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas associated with sewage that can pose serious health risks with prolonged exposure.

Communities near the Tijuana River Valley have reported symptoms including respiratory issues, eye and skin irritation, and gastrointestinal illness, raising concerns about environmental conditions in the area.

It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people on both sides of the border may be exposed to this contamination, in a region where wastewater discharges and urban runoff converge, especially during rain events.

In response, local leaders are calling for a state of emergency declaration to accelerate institutional response efforts and enable immediate action to address what is being described as a large-scale public health crisis.

While mitigation efforts are underway, concerns remain over the lack of long-term solutions addressing the root causes tied to aging and insufficient wastewater infrastructure in the border region.

Meanwhile, authorities continue to advise the public to avoid contact with ocean water and to follow health advisories, particularly along beaches in southern San Diego County, where water quality remains compromised following recent rainfall.