Surfing, Sulfides, and Migraines: Life by the Tijuana River in San Diego

Over the past five years, more than 100 billion gallons of untreated sewage and industrial waste have flowed into California waters from the Tijuana River.

Water advisory signs line the sand of Imperial Beach, Calif., on Sept. 19, 2024. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif.—When the sunrise hit Imperial Beach, it illuminated a line of signs along the shore warning beachgoers to avoid contact with the water, as the faint scent of rotten eggs hung in the morning air.

“Most people just find waves to ride more north of here nowadays,” local surfer Jani Garcia, 39, told The Epoch Times as she looked out at the warning signs.

“But as you can see, there’s still a few guys out who will take the risk, and in better surf conditions, I might do the same.”

Just a few days later, much of the beach reopened on Sept. 23 after being closed for more than 1,015 days, allowing local surfers to finally return to their “home break” without fear of citations.

However, this doesn’t mean the health risk is gone, according to local officials.

Earlier this month, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to continue a local emergency declaration because of high levels of pollution and sewage from the Tijuana River. The board first approved an emergency proclamation in June 2023.

The shoreline remains closed further to the south along the Tijuana Slough region, from the southern end of Seacoast Drive down to the U.S.–Mexico border, because of the contamination seeping into the area from the river. It has been closed since December 2021.

Water advisory signs line the sands of Imperial Beach, Calif., on Sept. 19, 2024. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

Water advisory signs line the sands of Imperial Beach, Calif., on Sept. 19, 2024. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

About 17 miles south of downtown San Diego, the Tijuana River crosses from Tijuana, Mexico, into the United States border city of San Ysidro and drains into the Pacific Ocean just south of Imperial Beach.

In July, the shoreline at the mouth of the Tijuana River was ranked as the most polluted beach on the West Coast by environmental advocacy group Heal the Bay.

River Crisis

Over the past five years, more than 100 billion gallons of untreated sewage and industrial waste have flowed into California waters from the Tijuana River, according to the International Boundary and Water Commission.

“We are very concerned about the high flows and sediment entering the United States from Mexico in the Tijuana River,” International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) spokesperson Frank Fisher told The Epoch Times.

“It’s no secret the residents have been suffering a long time, especially in Imperial Beach, [and] this is what drives us to expand the South Bay [treatment] plant, and at the same time pressure Mexico to improve its wastewater infrastructure.”

The South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant is one of the facilities assisting in sewage treatment, and it’s just one part of the solution to decreasing the pollution that enters the United States.

On the Mexican side of the border, a pump station located in Tijuana, which has the task of diverting sewage to before reaching treatment stations in the United States along the Tijuana River, only recently began functioning again this month after receiving upgrades to the facility, officials said.

“Infrastructure improvements are needed to stem the [sewage] flows, [and] this is not something local government can manage,” San Diego County Communications Officer for the Land Use and Environmental Group Donna Durckel told The Epoch Times.

“Ocean pollution related to the [Tijuana] River sewage flows is under the jurisdiction of the federal government and International Boundary and Water Commission.”

On June 3, a letter signed by 18 mayors in the San Diego region was sent to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, one of multiple attempts asking for the declaration of emergencies at the state and federal levels to assist in the management of the Tijuana River.

“Local researchers and government agencies have identified 392 organic chemical and inorganic elements, many of which are known to be persistent, bio-accumulative, carcinogenic, [and] toxic” in both the water and the air, according to the letter.

The Tijuana River flows within sight of the U.S.–Mexico border in Imperial Beach, Calif., on Sept. 19, 2024. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

A lifeguard drives toward the Tijuana River mouth outside of San Diego on Sept. 19, 2024. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

One year prior, Newsom sent a letter to the California Coastal Commission declaring that the condition of the Tijuana River was a “crisis” but not worthy of an emergency declaration, according to the mayors.

However, in January, Newsom called on the federal government to supply funding to help address the river pollution, and in March, at least $100 million was provided to the county in the 2024 fiscal year appropriations package signed by President Joe Biden. Local officials say the crisis is ongoing.

Newsom’s office did not respond to The Epoch Times for comment by publication time.

Health Concerns

According to the mayor of Imperial Beach, pollution-related sickness has been on the rise in the beach community of roughly 26,000, along with the contaminated water flowing from the Tijuana River onto the California coastline.

“This river contains industrial waste, residential waste, agriculture waste, slaughterhouse waste—everything goes into the river and it’s getting worse,” Mayor Paloma Aguirre told The Epoch Times.

“As we look at our data we have collected, there is empirical evidence showing that there’s contamination in the soil, water, and even in the air with toxic gases that include hydrogen sulfide.”

According to Aguirre, residents in Imperial Beach and neighboring towns are reporting a higher rate of medical issues because of the river’s pollution, including gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses.

Headaches are also common due to harmful gas build-ups that are created by such pollution, according to both county and federal health officials.

“Even as I’m speaking with you, I’m fighting off a migraine right now,” Aguirre said. “Migraines are now common [among] our residents and city staff which can traced back to the [Tijuana] River’s offset of hydrogen sulfides.”

Also known as H2S, the gas is described by the U.S Occupational Safety and Health Administration as colorless, extremely flammable, and highly toxic—with a “rotten egg” type odor.

According to preliminary research from Sept. 18 by the University of California–San Diego, H2S levels in the area are “well above” air quality standards set by the California Air Resources Board. Researchers found the gas levels increased substantially at night.

A woman walks along the Imperial Beach Pier in Imperial Beach, Calif., on Sept. 19, 2024. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

Trash lines the beaches near the Tijuana River mouth outside of San Diego on Sept. 19, 2024. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

“These gases seem to have their biggest impact between the hours of 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. for both Imperial Beach and neighboring communities according to research that has been done on this issue,” Aguirre told The Epoch Times.

“This is a health issue that concerns not just Imperial Beach but many others throughout San Diego.”

Earlier this month, San Diego County Supervisor Nora Vargas said the air quality in the area does not pose a public health threat, despite the foul odors and elevated levels of gases.

“I want to reassure everyone that this is not an imminent threat, and it’s safe to be outside and attend school,” Vargas said at a press conference. “Our county experts are actively gathering public health data and conducting research to provide the most accurate information.”

CDC to Investigate

On the banks of the Tijuana River, the foul scent of rotten eggs grew stronger as the rising sun heated its waters, surrounded by heaps of trash within sight of the United States border wall and Tijuana city skyline.

According to Imperial Beach city officials, a team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been dispatched to investigate the health concerns created by the Tijuana River local to the area in the coming days.

“It’s the first time the CDC has ever come to San Diego, is my understanding,” Aguirre told The Epoch Times.

“This crisis has permeated to San Diego’s communities, [and] what matters is that people’s health and lives are at risk.”

San Diego County health officials recommend checking SDBeachInfo.com for information on water safety before entering the ocean in the region.

Trash builds up along the Tijuana River outside of San Diego on Sept. 19, 2024. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

City News Service contributed to this report.