Bethany Case, representing the Surfrider Foundation, likened the stench permeating the Tijuana River Valley on a recent morning to an extremely foul portable toilet.
This odor emanates from untreated sewage entering the valley from Mexico, and projections indicate a significant increase in the near future.
The International Boundary and Water Commission has disclosed that due to a 10-day shutdown for repairs at a Tijuana pump station just across the border, an extra 10 to 12 million gallons of raw sewage will be diverted daily into the U.S. wastewater treatment facility.
Even after seven weeks, the Tijuana River Valley remains littered with refuse and debris originating from Mexico.
“The stench is overwhelming,” stated Case, whose organization is dedicated to safeguarding the oceans and beaches globally.
She expressed concern that the majority of the sewage will not reach the IBWC treatment plant but will instead accumulate in the Tijuana River Valley, as the plant is already at full capacity.
“The facility can handle only 25 million gallons daily, and any excess is left untreated,” explained Case. “Following recent rainfall, the saturated ground means that this overflow is likely to end up on private property, within our watershed, and potentially reach the ocean.”
Case emphasized that the issue is not just unpleasant but also poses a significant health risk.
“This is a major national health emergency. Airborne contaminants are causing illness,” she remarked. “Our community, often overlooked due to its proximity to the border and the socioeconomic status of its residents, deserves attention and fairness.”
Case advocates for federal funding to enhance the wastewater treatment infrastructure and support additional sewage control initiatives on both sides of the border.
The situation in the Tijuana River Valley has reached unprecedented levels of severity.
In contrast, thousands of miles away in Congress, San Diego’s Democratic Representative Scott Peters implored his colleagues to allocate the $310 million required for essential repairs.
“The remedy is straightforward. The U.S. operates a wastewater treatment plant that is in dire need of maintenance and expansion to manage the sewage flow. President Biden’s budget proposal includes $310 million for these necessary improvements, a justified expenditure for the well-being of our community, military personnel, and the environment,” Peters stated.
Meanwhile, San Diego’s Republican Representative Darrell Issa is scrutinizing the IBWC for its financial mismanagement, lack of transparency regarding maintenance delays, and seemingly arbitrary financial requests from Congress and the taxpayers.
Issa is advocating for prompt renovations to the International Wastewater Treatment facility.
“While I wholeheartedly endorse the completion of this crucial project, we must also ensure fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers,” Issa asserted. “The IBWC’s neglect in maintaining and managing this facility, coupled with its baseless financial demands, cannot be ignored.””
Source: Border Report
