New survey research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms what many in our region have long known: The Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis poses a serious threat to the health and quality of life of residents in San Diego’s South Region.
New survey research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms what many in our region have long known: The Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis poses a serious threat to the health and quality of life of residents in San Diego’s South Region.
Conducted in late 2024 by the CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the Assessment of Chemical Exposures survey found:
• 67% of respondents do not believe the area is safe to visit, work, or live in.
• 80% have made significant lifestyle changes and taken steps to avoid the area due to the sewage.
• 64% reported at least one new or worsening physical health symptom in the past 30 days that they attributed to the sewage crisis.
The pollution challenges emerging from Tijuana are not new. For decades, urbanization and aging infrastructure have led to contamination in the Tijuana River Valley and surrounding communities.
Residents are not the only ones sounding the alarm. The County of San Diego and cities of Imperial Beach, San Diego, and Coronado have all declared local emergencies. In response, the County of San Diego has launched a web page dedicated to the crisis and public health response; a weekly surveillance bulletin that shows recent health trends; an environmental dashboard that offers a full picture of the crisis; and a web page for sharing updates on a federal public health assessment analyzing air, water, soil, and other exposures.
In Imperial County, a project completed in May helps prevent polluted water from flowing through a 1.5-mile stretch of the New River in Calexico — an important step in protecting public health, the river’s ecosystem, and local wildlife. Additionally, local public health leaders in both counties coordinate and share relevant information through the San Diego & Imperial Counties Border Health Collaborative in an effort to enhance relationships and improve the health of those in the affected region.
Concerns related to the Tijuana River Valley crisis are a key finding in our 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), set for official release at a virtual community event on Aug. 19. The CHNA reflects input from hundreds of community members and confirms that pollution in the Tijuana River Valley is a regional crisis, affecting both the mental and physical health of our communities.
In addition to helping patients affected by this crisis with their health care needs, providers can share with them available resources — including a free air purifier program for eligible individuals — to help improve indoor air quality. And in looking at the overall crisis, the HASD&IC team will continue working closely with regional leaders to advocate for lasting, large-scale solutions.