by On Wednesday, county and city officials posted warning signs at a number of locations in the South Bay where elevated quantities of hydrogen sulfide gas have been detected from the Tijuana River Valley.
The new signage were unveiled by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre near Saturn Boulevard and Tijuana River Valley Regional Park.
Over 200 billion gallons of trash, hazardous waste, and untreated rainfall have been flowing into the Tijuana River from the US-Mexico border since 2018. Long-term beach closures and enduring consequences for the environment, public health, and water quality are among the implications on nearby towns.
Scientists recorded high concentrations of harmful chemicals, including hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen sulfide, in the river valley in September 2024. Miles away from the border, the rotten egg odor produced by the chemicals was evident.
Although San Diego County personnel concluded there was no immediate health concern, many locals had their doubts. According to two surveys conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, some people claimed persistent health problems that they thought were caused by the continuous sewage pollution.
The county and city collaborated on the signs as a result of those surveys. They provide a QR code that leads to a county webpage addressing local environmental and health issues.
The website connects visitors to the Air Pollution Control District website, where they can claim a free air purifier, and describes the initiatives that have been implemented in the Tijuana River Valley.
By designating the Environmental Protection Agency as the crisis lead, Democratic leaders in both chambers of Congress presented legislation in July to help address the persistent sewage contamination in the Tijuana River.
At the Council of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin also had a meeting with Alicia B. rcena Ibarra, Mexico’s Secretary of the Environment and National Resources.
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On both sides of the border, both countries committed to accelerating sewage and stormwater infrastructure projects. The U.S. will provide previously delayed EPA Border Water Infrastructure Program monies to finish the renovation of the Tijuana River collecting pipes and Pump Station 1 in accordance with the provisions of that agreement.
Mexico committed to finance and start building two projects this year in return.
Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, also traveled to Imperial Beach earlier this year to observe the problem firsthand.
The Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act of 2025 was introduced by Booker, Sen. Alex Padilla, and Rep. Juan Vargas, both of whom are Democrats from California, as well as Booker.
In order to manage each watershed through a thorough water quality management plan, the lawmakers demand that the EPA develop a new geographic program.
