San Diego Beach Areas Flagged for Potential Medical Safety Concerns Due to High Levels of Bacteria.
The Department of Environmental Health and Quality has issued warnings about potential medical safety concerns due to high levels of bacteria in the water at multiple San Diego beach areas, stemming from sewage contamination. Water contact closures have been issued for Tijuana Slough, Silver Strand, and Imperial Beach shorelines. Additionally, advisories warning against water contact are in place for Mission Bay, La Jolla, and the dog beach at Ocean Beach.
Imperial Beach, which has experienced the most significant impact north of the US-Mexico border, has been closed by authorities since December 18, 2023. According to Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre, over 135 billion gallons of untreated sewage have flowed into the Pacific Ocean, leading to more than 900 consecutive days of beach closures. It is a profound public health crisis that has affected every asset of life in our community,” she told FOX 5 San Diego.
However, recent water contact restrictions may not be enough to protect the public’s health fully. The Surfrider Foundation warned earlier this month that some toxins are aerosolizing and contaminating the air in Imperial Beach and other nearby border communities. People have been getting sick just by breathing the air as they go to work, school, or even try to enjoy their own backyards. South Bay Urgent Care in Imperial Beach has reported that the number of patients needing breathing treatments has grown by 140% in the past year.
According to research conducted by the Blue Water Task Force, coastal waters along Tijuana, Mexico, and Imperial Beach, USA, are frequently polluted by millions of gallons of untreated sewage and stormwater runoff. Entering these waters causes over 100 million global annual illnesses, but CWP (coastal water pollution) has the potential to reach many more people on land via transfer in sea spray aerosol.
County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer plans to investigate the prevalence of illnesses by ZIP code to determine the extent of the impact of airborne bacteria on residents’ health. The Blue Water Task Force posts recent water test results on its website, while the EPA has a list of all beaches that are monitored and also posts beach closures, advisories, and water test results.
As the Tijuana River sewage crisis continues to impact San Diego beach areas, local authorities are working to clean up the area and demand action from state and federal governments to protect public health and ensure the safety of residents who use these beaches for work or leisure activities.
