The Tijuana River sewage crisis has been a public health and safety emergency for over three decades. The crisis is the culmination of a lack of government collaboration, a misplacement of priorities and funding, and a negligent attitude toward the communities of color that continue to be impacted.
In a recent survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 69% of respondents in the Nestor and South Bay communities stated that one or more members of their households have health symptoms from the sewage crisis, including headaches, nausea, and sore throat. Additionally, 18% of respondents had sought medical care due to their symptoms.
The pollution continues to head north and is now impacting the affluent Coronado community, a well-known and coveted vacation destination. Coronado leaders should use their elected powers to help force state and federal agencies to act by declaring an additional 60 days in the state of emergency.
The continued negligence surrounding this issue has resulted in beach and business closures, pollutants in the community’s air and water, and a growing lack of faith in the government. Utilizing the prestige and resources of the city of Coronado would draw more attention to the sewage crisis and thus encourage real action toward resolution.
Coronado city officials must extend the state of emergency now and for the foreseeable future to address the Tijuana River crisis, restore faith in community officials, improve water and air quality, and mediate acts of neglect toward the less affluent communities in the area.
The crisis has received little attention outside of San Diego County. Both Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Biden refused to declare it an emergency. The San Diego City Council first declared a local emergency in 1993 and has been consistently extending it. Unfortunately, the sewage crisis continues to worsen, leading not only to increased health issues for San Diego residents, but also to the destruction of marine life, economic hardship for local businesses, and reduced access to outdoor activities.
This means that over three decades, a prolonged state of emergency has produced no results. That is why the San Diego City Council sought to upgrade their declaration to a national emergency in October 2024. Only within the last two years have other local entities started issuing emergency declarations. These include Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, San Diego County and the Port of San Diego.
The Coronado City Council finally declared a local state of emergency in March. However, some council members hesitated to do so because of the symbolic nature. After all, Coronado is not responsible for maintaining the wastewater plants.
Additionally, some critics are worried that an emergency declaration will affect already struggling local businesses. But these businesses will continue to suffer if more attention is not drawn to this issue. Summer is approaching, and if tourists are unaware of the problem, they may also endure the effects of the sewage crisis.
In response to the ongoing environmental crisis, the Coronado City Council should vote to extend the state of emergency for an additional 60 days. This extension, although primarily symbolic, is crucial for maintaining focus on the crisis and encouraging state and federal help. It serves as a strategic call to action, emphasizing the need for continued attention and intervention from higher authorities to address infrastructure and environmental management issues.
The extension will support ongoing public health advisories, aid local businesses adversely affected by the crisis, facilitate effective monitoring, and prompt responses to evolving conditions. This proactive approach is vital for mitigating long-term environmental damage and preventing future contamination issues, safeguarding the community’s health and economic stability.
Keeping residents informed about the risks and ongoing mitigation efforts not only helps manage public expectations and anxiety but also fosters a collaborative environment where community feedback can refine response strategies. By unanimously deciding to extend the state of emergency, Coronado city leaders will demonstrate their commitment to addressing this severe environmental health challenge.
Olanike Oladipupo, Maya Ma, and Christina Reid are Southern California residents and Master of Public Health students at San Jose State University. In September 2024, they hosted an advocacy event to promote Assembly Bill 1597, a proposal to address the Tijuana River sewage crisis by allocating funds to cross-border water quality projects.
