San Diego's Ocean Pollution: A Growing Concern?

San Diego is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, home to a wide range of wildlife, from tiny invertebrates to large animals like the California Sea Lion. However, the region faces significant ocean pollution problems, threatening its diverse ecosystems and wildlife. One of the primary sources of pollution is stormwater, which, due to its untreated nature, carries pollutants directly into rivers, lakes, and the ocean. The Tijuana River, for instance, discharges millions of gallons of wastewater, sewage, industrial waste, and runoff into the Pacific Ocean daily, severely impacting the region's coastal environments. Other sources of ocean pollution include urban runoff, sewage infrastructure issues, and litter from soaps, fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, which introduce harmful chemicals and hazards to wildlife. The economic impacts of beach closures due to pollution have also affected tourism, local businesses, and property values. With ongoing pollution issues, San Diego faces the challenge of protecting its vibrant ecosystems and mitigating the adverse effects of ocean pollution on its diverse natural habitats and communities.

Stormwater pollution

Sources of stormwater pollution include irrigation water runoff, oil, grease, construction waste, landscaping waste, wash water, and power washing wastewater. Yard debris, such as grass or leaves, trash, and litter, can also block storm drains, causing flooding and further contaminating water pathways.

One of the significant concerns with stormwater pollution is the impact on the diverse wildlife in the region. Pollutants such as soaps from car washing, fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides can introduce harmful chemicals, choking hazards, and objects that can injure or kill wildlife. For instance, mask strings have been observed as a potential hazard for animals.

Another consequence of stormwater pollution is the occurrence of algae blooms in both fresh and saltwater. Excess nutrient chemicals, such as phosphorus and nitrogen from fertilizers, manure, and decomposing waste, accumulate in the water. These nutrients are carried into waterways during rain or over-irrigation events, leading to algae blooms that deplete oxygen levels, create dead zones, and produce toxic chemicals harmful to humans and animals.

To address stormwater pollution, the City of San Diego encourages residents to report any observed pollution. Residents can email swppp@sandiego.gov, call the Storm Water Pollution Hotline at 619-235-1000, or use the Get it Done App. Additionally, Project Clean Water promotes initiatives to reduce stormwater pollution, such as reducing irrigation runoff, decreasing trash and pet waste, capturing rainwater, and redirecting runoff away from storm drains.

Sewage and wastewater

Secondly, there is a sewage crisis at the US-Mexico border near San Diego, specifically regarding wastewater from Tijuana. The wastewater from thousands of Tijuana homes enters a faulty sewer system, and millions of gallons of raw sewage are pumped into a non-functional Mexican wastewater treatment plant. This untreated wastewater is then discharged into the Pacific Ocean, flowing north to beaches in Imperial Beach, Silver Strand State Beach, and Coronado Beach. These beaches have been frequently closed due to polluted water, impacting tourism and the local economy.

Furthermore, the Tijuana River carries wastewater from homes not connected to a sewer system directly into the watershed. This wastewater eventually reaches the Tijuana River Estuary and the Pacific Ocean, creating an environmental crisis that threatens the health of people and wildlife in the area. A US-owned wastewater treatment plant in San Ysidro, built to address this issue, is also in need of repair.

To address these issues, San Diego operates several major facilities to treat wastewater, including the North City Water Reclamation Plant, which can treat up to 30 million gallons of wastewater daily, and the South Bay Water Reclamation Plant, with a capacity of 15 million gallons per day. The Metropolitan Biosolids Center is the regional biosolids treatment facility, processing nutrient-rich organic materials from the wastewater treatment process. These facilities aim to mitigate the impacts of sewage and wastewater pollution on San Diego's oceans and ecosystems.

Beach closures

The impact of beach closures extends beyond environmental concerns, with economic repercussions for the surrounding communities. A recent example occurred in June 2023 when the San Diego Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency due to water pollution at the US/Mexico border. This pollution resulted from record rainfall and monsoonal flow, causing increased wastewater discharges, infrastructure failures, and runoff into the Tijuana River Valley. The subsequent beach closures in Imperial Beach, Coronado, and San Diego led to a decrease in tourism and patronage of local businesses, affecting youth recreation opportunities and lowering property values.

Algal blooms, caused by excess nutrient chemicals like phosphorus and nitrogen, can also contribute to beach closures. These nutrients are carried into waterways through rainwater or over-irrigation, leading to the accumulation of toxic chemicals that pose risks to human and animal health. Additionally, stormwater pollution introduces harmful chemicals, choking hazards, and objects that can injure wildlife, further exacerbating the problem.

San Diego Coastkeeper plays a vital role in monitoring and addressing beach pollution. They maintain an interactive map that provides water quality information for San Diego County beaches, helping residents and visitors make informed decisions about beach usage. The organization also offers career opportunities for individuals passionate about clean water initiatives and marine conservation efforts.

Economic impact

Ocean pollution is a significant problem in San Diego, with economic impacts that affect the region in several ways. Firstly, the pollution has led to beach closures in the cities of Imperial Beach, Coronado, and San Diego, resulting in decreased tourism and patronage of local businesses. The decrease in tourism has a direct impact on the local economy, as tourists bring revenue to the area by visiting beaches and supporting local businesses. With beach closures, there is also a loss in opportunities for youth recreation and camps, further impacting the economic activities in the region.

The poor water quality in San Diego's beaches poses a threat to the health of swimmers and beachgoers. This has economic implications as it affects the region's ocean-dependent economy. San Diego's beaches are a precious natural resource, and ensuring their cleanliness and safety is crucial for maintaining the area's appeal to visitors and residents alike. Contaminated water can deter potential tourists and drive away investors, leading to a decline in economic activities related to beach recreation and tourism.

In addition to the direct economic impacts on tourism and local businesses, ocean pollution also affects property values in the surrounding communities. The decrease in property values can have long-term economic consequences, as it may lead to a decline in tax revenues for the region and impact the overall economic development of the area. Lower property values can also discourage new businesses from establishing themselves in the region, further exacerbating the economic challenges.

The economic impacts of ocean pollution in San Diego are not limited to the immediate effects on tourism and property values. The pollution has far-reaching consequences for the region's ecosystem and public health, which in turn affect the economy. For instance, the Tijuana River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, discharges millions of gallons of wastewater daily, including sewage, industrial waste, and runoff. This has been identified as the dominant source of coastal pollution in the region. The wastewater pollution contains a mixture of illicit drugs, drug metabolites, and chemicals from tires and personal care products, which can have detrimental effects on the environment and public health.

To address the economic impacts of ocean pollution in San Diego, local authorities have implemented measures such as the Beach and Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program. This program aims to protect public health by conducting beach water testing, public education, outreach, and posting signs warning of contaminated water. Additionally, new testing methods, such as the ddPCR testing, are being utilized to provide more detailed data on water quality, enabling better-informed decisions to protect public health and prevent potential risks. These efforts are crucial in mitigating the economic consequences of ocean pollution by ensuring the safety and cleanliness of San Diego's beaches and maintaining the region's appeal as a tourist destination.

Tijuana River pollution

San Diego is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, with a range of wildlife, from tiny invertebrates to large animals like the California Sea Lion. Unfortunately, ocean pollution poses a significant threat to this biodiversity. Stormwater pollution, for instance, can introduce harmful chemicals, choking hazards, and litter to natural environments, endangering wildlife.

One of the significant sources of ocean pollution in San Diego is the Tijuana River, which has been at the centre of a transboundary pollution crisis on the US/Mexico border for decades. The Tijuana River Estuary, recognised as a "Wetland of Global Importance" by the UN's Ramsar Convention, has suffered severe degradation due to decades of sewage, chemicals, trash, and sediment being dumped into it from both sides of the border.

The crisis has escalated in recent years due to several factors. Firstly, Tijuana's rapidly growing population has increased pressure on the region's infrastructure. Secondly, there have been repeated infrastructure failures and breakdowns, leading to overflows and spills of raw sewage into the river. Since October 2023, 31 billion gallons of raw sewage, polluted stormwater, and trash have flowed into the Tijuana River Valley and the Pacific Ocean, resulting in numerous beach closures in San Diego and its surrounding cities.

The pollution has had significant environmental, health, and economic impacts. It has endangered marine ecosystems, posed serious health risks to local communities, and led to decreased tourism and patronage of local businesses. The contaminated runoff has also been found to become airborne and linger in soils, further exacerbating the public health crisis.

The US and Mexican governments have pledged to address the sewage problem, but real progress has yet to be made. The situation highlights the urgent need for comprehensive and sustainable solutions to protect the environment, public health, and local economies.

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