Additional influxes of storm-driven sewage out of Baja California prompted authorities Monday to expand a border-area ocean pollution warning to include the entire shoreline of Imperial Beach.
Contamination carried into the surf via the Tijuana River following recent rains has drifted to the north past Border Field State Park and Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge, according to the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health.
“Sewage-contaminated runoff in the Tijuana River has been entering the Tijuana Estuary as a result of recent rainfall,” according to a health department statement. “Observations indicate contamination of ocean water is likely in Imperial Beach.”
Signs warning of contamination hazards will stand along the affected beaches until follow-up testing deems them safe again for recreational uses, the department advised.
–City News Service