Residents of a small coastal town in California said they were “stuck in a portable toilet” after 700 consecutive days of beach closures.
For the past four years, residents of Imperial City, a small town 20 minutes’ drive from San Diego, have been exposed daily to sea spray and aerosol particles emitted from the polluted ocean.
Over the past five years, more than 100 billion gallons of untreated sewage has flowed through Mexico’s Tijuana River into the Pacific Ocean, eventually reaching the coastal city.
Shannon Johnson, 45, who has lived a few blocks from the beach since 2010, said CBS that neither she nor her two children, aged 9 and 10 respectively, have set foot on the sand in the past year.
‘Every time we go by the beach, they ask, ‘Is it clean?’ When are they going to fix it?” Johnson said.
Residents of Imperial Beach, a small town 20 minutes’ drive from San Diego, California, say they are ‘stuck in a portable toilet’ after 700 consecutive days of beach closures
For the past four years, residents of Imperial City have been exposed daily to sea spray and aerosol particles emitted from the polluted ocean. “I’ve been more frustrated than ever since we found out it’s going up,” one resident said
Over the past five years, more than 100 billion gallons of untreated sewage has flowed through Mexico’s Tijuana River into the Pacific Ocean, eventually reaching the coastal city.
Last year, an estimated 13 billion liters of polluted water entered the Pacific Ocean via Mexico’s Tijuana River.
According to a study from San Diego State University, heavy metals, toxic chemicals and bacteria found in water are released into the air and remain in the soil.
“I’ve been more frustrated than ever since we found out it was going up in the air. So it’s not just the water,” says a resident.
In letters from community members calling for action, one resident said the smell is “like being stuck in a portable toilet,” so strong it wakes them up at night.
Even though Imperial Beach has had beach closures for more than 700 days in a row, residents continue to suffer the consequences of pollution every day.
Johnson said her young children have also been exposed to the foul odor while attending school near the river valley.
“They say, ‘Why does it smell so bad?’ Is it safe?’ I’m like, yeah, I think so. What should I tell them?’ she said.
She herself said, after suffering two unexplained pulmonary embolisms and other health problems, “In the back of my mind I wonder if it has something to do with the air I breathe.”
According to a study from San Diego State University, heavy metals, toxic chemicals and bacteria found in water are released into the air and remain in the soil.
Despite Imperial Beach having had beach closures for more than 700 days in a row, residents continue to suffer the consequences of pollution every day
Johnson said her young children have also been exposed to the foul odor while attending school near the river valley
Marvel Harrison, a 67-year-old psychologist who moved to the city with her husband in 2020, is considering moving again.
‘I find myself looking at other places where we could possibly live. And that’s really disheartening, considering this is where and how we wanted to retire,” she said.
“As much as the stench permeates the air, the subject permeates the stress and anxiety of everyone’s lives here,” she said, adding that she always thinks twice before inviting guests to her home.
In the study published last month, researchers described the contamination as “an escalating public health crisis.”
There is the potential for both short- and long-term health risks associated with exposure, underscoring the need for more extensive monitoring and research,” said Paula Stigler, lead author of the paper.
‘Urgent interventions are needed to reduce and address both the immediate and long-term health consequences of those living near this dangerous environment.’
The cities of Imperial Beach and Chula Vista have filed a lawsuit against the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) alleging violations of the Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
The lawsuit alleged that the IBWC failed to take steps to control coastal water pollution.
The cities of Imperial Beach and Chula Vista have filed a lawsuit against the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) for violating the Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
Local officials were involved, with the mayor calling for CDC involvement to monitor the issue and public health concerns
A settlement was reached last month and IBWC agreed to work more closely with Mexican water authorities to prevent future sewage leaks.
Local officials were involved, with the mayor calling for CDC involvement to monitor the issue and public health concerns.
“The ongoing health impacts are significantly reducing the community’s quality of life,” said Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre.
“It is a challenging task, but now is the time to ensure that our elderly, our children and water lovers are not exposed to increased health risks while simply trying to enjoy a sunny day,” she added.
Congressman Scott Peters said, “This environmental disaster has harmed the region for years, resulting in decades of adverse health impacts.”