Researchers from San Diego State University have issued a dire warning regarding the Tijuana River. The river’s untreated sewage, industrial waste, and urban runoff pose a significant public health crisis, endangering the well-being of a wide range of individuals.
Paul Sisson reports for the San Diego Union-Tribune.
In short:
- A new report by researchers at San Diego State University labels the Tijuana River a “public health crisis” due to extensive evidence of unhealthy conditions from untreated sewage to industrial waste.
- The report synthesizes multiple studies documenting pollution over the years, including a recent paper that found the threat extends to ocean-going mammals.
- The report aims to advocate for more action to address these environmental concerns. It is part of a broader effort to secure additional funding to repair and expand the federal wastewater treatment plant that treats Tijuana River flows.
Key quote:
“We don’t have the luxury to wait around ... we have to treat it like it is a crisis.”
— Rep. Scott Peters
Why this matters:
The contamination of the Tijuana River imperils public health, affecting residents on both sides of the border. Addressing this crisis is crucial for regional well-being and underscores broader environmental challenges.
Toxic sewage sludge is disposed in our forests and on our farms and rangelands simply because we fail to embrace existing technologies.
