Greta Jimenez
San Diego's beaches are some of the most polluted in California, with four of them making the 'Beach Bummer' list. The pollution is caused by sewage from the Tijuana River, which discharges tens of millions of gallons of untreated sewage into the ocean every year. The problem is due to inadequate sanitation infrastructure in Tijuana, which has worsened in recent years due to the growing population and deteriorating sewage treatment plants. This has led to beach closures and health risks for residents and tourists. While efforts are being made to address the issue, such as upgrades to treatment plants, it may take a decade or more to fully resolve the problem.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Beach pollution in San Diego | San Diego County beaches topped the list of California's dirtiest beaches in 2024 |
| Cause of pollution | Sewage spills from the Tijuana River that flows into the ocean |
| Location of polluted beaches | Imperial Beach, Coronado, Border Field State Park, Tijuana River Mouth, Tijuana Slough, and Seacoast Drive |
| Health impact | May cause illness |
| Action taken | San Diego County deployed a new water quality test; warning signs posted; EPA-funded upgrades to treatment plants are underway |
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What You'll Learn
Sewage spills from Mexico into San Diego County
San Diego County is facing a sewage crisis as a result of sewage spills from Mexico. The problem has been ongoing for at least a century, but it has worsened in recent years due to the growing population of Tijuana, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of maintenance. The Tijuana River, which flows from Mexico into the United States, has been at the centre of this transboundary pollution crisis, impacting the water quality of beaches in San Diego County and posing significant health and environmental risks.
The Tijuana sewage plant crisis has resulted in the discharge of untreated sewage containing high levels of fecal bacteria into shared water bodies, leading to frequent beach closures in San Diego County. In Imperial Beach, one of the communities closest to the border and the Tijuana River, public beaches have been closed for over 1,000 days, affecting tourism and the local economy. The sewage spills also endanger marine ecosystems and pose serious health risks to residents on both sides of the border.
The South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, located near the San Ysidro Port of Entry, was built in the early 1990s through a joint US-Mexico effort to manage sewage from Tijuana. The plant's system includes "canyon collectors," structures designed to capture untreated flows coming into the US. However, the treatment plant has fallen into disrepair, and infrastructure breakdowns and extreme weather conditions have contributed to sewage spills.
In March 2025, a rupture in the pipe system on the Mexican side of the border resulted in millions of gallons of sewage flowing into the Tijuana River Valley and eventually into the Pacific Ocean on the US side. This incident was caused by a combination of heavy rain and a dilapidated water management system. Mexican construction crews are currently working on a bypass solution to prevent sewage from escaping while the new collector is completed.
The sewage crisis has prompted responses from local and federal authorities. San Diego leaders have pushed for federal funding to address the cross-border sewage issue, and a new task force has been formed to examine the health impacts on residents. The US and Mexican governments have pledged to address the problem, but progress has been slow. The EPA Administrator, Lee Zeldin, has called the situation "unacceptable," and there are ongoing efforts to improve sewage infrastructure in Tijuana to reduce transboundary flows.
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San Diego's beaches are among California's dirtiest
The Tijuana River, which flows through both Mexico and the United States, is a significant source of pollution for San Diego's beaches. The river discharges tens of millions of gallons of untreated sewage into the ocean each year, due to inadequate sanitation infrastructure in Tijuana. This has resulted in a public health crisis, with beaches closed and residents falling ill. The problem has been exacerbated by the increasing population of Tijuana and the disrepair of sewage treatment plants in both countries.
In addition to the Tijuana River, sewage spills from a broken wastewater treatment plant in Baja California have also contributed to the pollution of San Diego's beaches. Winter storms and urban runoff have further impacted water quality, with only 66% of California beaches receiving A or B grades during the winter season of 2023-2024. The situation has led to a new testing and warning program, with San Diego County deploying new technology that can detect bacteria in the water more effectively and efficiently.
Despite these efforts, the cleanup process is expected to take a decade or more. Upgrades to sewage treatment facilities and public investment in nature-based, multi-benefit stormwater capture infrastructure are necessary to address the challenges posed by climate change and outdated water infrastructure in California. In the meantime, Heal the Bay advises against swimming at the affected beaches until the upgrades are completed.
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Sewage from Tijuana River flows into the ocean
San Diego County beaches have been facing a sewage problem for years, with four of them making it to the Beach Bummer list. The beaches that made it to the list include the Tijuana River Mouth, the Tijuana Slough, Imperial Beach at Seacoast Drive, and Border Field State Park. The Beach Bummers in San Diego County suffer from persistent sewage issues, with the Tijuana River being a significant contributor to the problem.
The Tijuana River, which flows between Mexico and the United States, has been at the centre of a transboundary pollution crisis for decades. The river annually discharges tens of millions of gallons of untreated sewage into the ocean, originating from inadequate sanitation infrastructure in Tijuana, Mexico. This has resulted in public health impacts, closed beaches, and massive environmental degradation of the Tijuana River Estuary and coastal marine waters from Tijuana to Coronado.
The sewage problem in the Tijuana River is a complex issue that stems from rapid urbanization, inadequate infrastructure, and strained binational relations. Tijuana, one of Mexico's fastest-growing cities, has seen its population explode in recent years, putting immense pressure on its sewage treatment infrastructure. The South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, located on the US side of the border, was designed to manage sewage from Tijuana. However, the plant has struggled to keep up with the increasing volume of sewage and has fallen into disrepair.
In addition to the treatment plant's issues, the unpredictable cycles of drought and heavy rainfall have further stressed the system, causing untreated sewage to bypass the plant and flow directly into the Tijuana River and, ultimately, the ocean. This has led to a multifaceted crisis that requires comprehensive strategies addressing both technical deficiencies and binational governance structures overseeing water quality and environmental protection in the region.
The sewage pollution in the Tijuana River has severe environmental and public health impacts. The Tijuana River Estuary, recognized as a "Wetland of Global Importance" by the UN's Ramsar Convention, has been severely degraded by decades of sewage, chemicals, trash, and sediment dumping. The pollution has transformed coastal marsh habitats into dry land and allowed huge volumes of plastic trash to break down into microplastics, further impacting the Estuary and coastal marine waters. The sewage-contaminated water has also closed beaches and sickened residents in both the US and Mexico.
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San Diego's water quality declines in 2023-24
San Diego's water quality has been declining due to sewage spills and pollution, with its beaches topping the "Beach Bummer" list in the 2023-24 annual report by an environmental group. The report highlights that the Tijuana River, which flows into the ocean near San Diego, is a significant source of sewage pollution, impacting the water quality of nearby beaches.
The Tijuana River annually discharges tens of millions of gallons of untreated sewage, which has severe environmental and public health implications. This issue is not new and traces back to inadequate sanitation infrastructure in Tijuana, Mexico. However, it has worsened in recent years due to the growing population and deteriorating sewage treatment plants.
During the 2023-24 reporting period, California received 31% more rainfall than the 10-year average, impacting water quality. While 89% of California beaches were safe for swimming in the summer of 2023, water quality declined during the winter, with only 66% of beaches receiving A or B grades. The increase in rainfall, coupled with sewage spills and urban runoff, contributed to the decline in water quality.
San Diego County has implemented new water quality testing technology that provides faster and more sensitive results. However, this has also revealed the extent of contamination, leading to challenges in balancing public health and beach closures. The county has faced pressure from mayors and the public to keep beaches open, resulting in a compromise where warnings are posted instead of closures.
To address the sewage crisis, San Diego leaders are pushing for federal funding and have formed a task force to examine the health impacts on residents. Upgrades to sewage treatment plants are underway, but these improvements may take time. In the meantime, water quality declines and the environmental and health impacts continue to affect San Diego's beaches.
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San Diego County's warning system for contaminated water
San Diego County is implementing a new tiered warning sign system to alert beachgoers about contaminated water. The warning system is designed to provide visitors with more beach access during the summer months. The system includes three types of signs, each indicating the seriousness of the contamination.
The first is a yellow advisory sign, followed by a blue warning sign, and finally, a red and yellow closure sign. The advisory and warning signs give beachgoers the opportunity to decide whether to enter the water, while the closure sign indicates that the beach is closed due to sewage-contaminated water.
The warning system has received mixed reviews from beachgoers. Some surfers claim that they will continue to surf regardless of the signs, while others appreciate the warning and choose to avoid the water when contamination is present.
The county of San Diego also provides a Drinking Water Quality Report, also known as the Consumer Confidence Report. This report is mandated by the state and provides information on the drinking water that is delivered daily to residents and how it compares to state standards. The Public Utilities Department conducts regular water sampling and quality testing to ensure that the water delivered to homes and businesses is safe.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, San Diego's beaches are polluted with sewage. Four San Diego County beaches made the "Beach Bummer" list, with sewage issues stemming from the Tijuana River.
Sewage pollution at San Diego's beaches is caused by the Tijuana River, which discharges tens of millions of gallons of untreated sewage into the ocean due to inadequate sanitation infrastructure in Tijuana. This has been a problem for at least a century but has worsened due to population growth and ageing sewage treatment plants.
There are ongoing efforts to address the sewage pollution at San Diego's beaches. Enhancements and upgrades are being made to treatment plants, such as the Punta Bandera treatment plant and the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plan. However, these upgrades may take a decade or more to complete.
