SEWAGE SPILLS CLOSES MORE LOCAL BEACHES AND BAYS

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Warnings issued for beaches from North County to South Bay, impacting beach safety for humans and dogs

East County News Service

File photo by Tony Webster,Friendship Park sewage warning sign in Imperial Beach cc 2.0

Update May 29, 2023: The closure is lifted for the Coronado Lifeguard Tower and North Beach Shorelines. Recent water quality samples meet State health standards.  Warnings at other beaches remain in effect.

May 27, 2023 (San Diego) – Sewage spills in Tijuana have contaminated many local beaches. Some South Bay beaches have been closed for months or more, including Imperial Beach and Tijuana Slough shoreline. Earlier this month, the Coronado shoreline was shutdown by county health officials, after earlier closing the Silver Strand.

This Memorial Day weekend, the county has also issued advisories warning consumers of pollution at the following beaches:

  • San Diego River Outlet – Dog Beach, Ocean Beach
  • North Cove, Vacation Isle
  • Oceanside Pier at Surfrider Way
  • Comfort Station at Leisure Lagoon
  • Fanuel Park
  • Fiesta Island Northwest Shoreline
  • San Elijo Lagoon
  • Childrens Pool

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that many visitors have missed seeing posted warning signs, and a lifeguard warned beachgoers that she has been ill after contact with the contaminated water.

The signs read: “Warning! Beach water may contain sewage and may cause illness.”

The problem stems from aging, decaying sewage infrastructure south of the border, where 35 million gallons of raw sewage are being discharged daily into the Pacific Ocean.

Local officials have been pressing the federal government to fix the problem, but it’s likely to take several years or more. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the International Boundary and Water Commission have a $474 million agreement with  Mexico to upgrade wastewater facilities and address the Tijuana sewage crisis on both sides of the border. Once completed, it is projected to reduce by 80% the amount of untreated wastewater discharged into the ocean.

While both nations have set aside funds, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports that U.S. agencies will likely need to allocation additional funds to complete all of the upgrades by 2027, the target date for completion.



 

 


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