The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reaffirmed its decision not to review the Tijuana River Estuary for Superfund designation, citing ongoing wastewater treatment projects and a lack of immediate human health risks.
Tammy Murga reports for The San Diego Union-Tribune.
In short:
- The EPA told Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre that it will not reassess its January denial of Superfund status for the Tijuana River Estuary, despite ongoing sewage pollution.
- The agency argues that current infrastructure repairs, including a plant expansion at the U.S.-Mexico border, will provide a lasting solution, though completion remains years away.
- Critics say the EPA’s decision relies on outdated pollution data and fails to address worsening contamination affecting South County communities.
Key quote:
“Despite this, I want South County residents to know we will not stop fighting until we have clean water and clean air. The stakes are too high to accept inaction.”
— Paloma Aguirre, Mayor of Imperial Beach
Why this matters:
Sewage spills from Tijuana continue to send millions of gallons of polluted water into the Tijuana River and Southern California’s coastline, posing environmental and public health risks. Residents of South County have faced beach closures, respiratory issues, and other health concerns for years. While Superfund status could unlock federal resources for cleanup, opponents worry about economic consequences.
At the heart of the issue is the EPA’s reliance on years-old data to justify its approach. Critics argue that the agency has failed to fully account for the scale of the crisis as it unfolds in real time, leaving residents frustrated and skeptical of whether meaningful action will come soon enough. With public pressure mounting, the question remains: Will bureaucratic delays prolong the suffering of those living in the shadow of an environmental disaster?
Related: San Diego faces health risks from Tijuana River's sewage spill
