Meghan Hodges
San Diego County's beaches are a precious natural resource, but they are under threat from pollution. Four of the state's beaches were ranked among the ten most polluted in the summer of 2023-24, with Heal the Bay's annual Beach Report Card giving them an 'F' grade. The Tijuana River Mouth was also placed on the Beach Bummer list. The county's beaches are affected by sewage from the Tijuana River, as well as stormwater pollution, which can carry harmful chemicals, trash, and other pollutants into the ocean. To protect public health, the Department of Environmental Health and Quality has implemented the Beach and Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program, which tests for bacteria and informs the public of any health risks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Beach Water Quality | Poor |
| Causes of Poor Water Quality | Sewage, stormwater pollution, Tijuana River sewage, fireworks pollution |
| Contaminants | Bacteria, viruses, chemicals, choking hazards, trash, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides |
| Health Risks | Gastroenteritis, respiratory disease, fever, rashes, paralysis, meningitis, infections, diarrhea |
| Water Testing Methods | ddPCR testing |
| Water Quality Monitoring Programs | Beach and Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program, San Diego Coastkeeper |
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What You'll Learn
Beach water quality testing
In San Diego, the Department of Environmental Health and Quality's Beach and Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program is responsible for testing beach water quality and protecting public health. The program includes beach water testing, public education, outreach, and posting signs to warn the public of contaminated water.
The County of San Diego has implemented a new droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) testing method, which provides faster results and more precise data on water quality. This method tests for fecal indicator bacteria DNA, which indicates the presence of other harmful bacteria or viruses. The ddPCR method has led to more detailed information about beach water quality and better protection of public health.
San Diego Coastkeeper, a community organization, also plays a role in monitoring water quality by training volunteers to conduct monthly water sampling. This data helps inform decision-makers and ensure the safety of San Diego's beaches.
When water quality standards are not met, beaches may be placed under advisory or closed until the issue is resolved. Advisories and closures are communicated to the public through posted signs, media outlets, and online resources, allowing beachgoers to make informed decisions about their health and safety.
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Sewage and bacterial pollution
San Diego's beaches are a precious natural resource, attracting many visitors and supporting the region's economy. However, the health of swimmers and beachgoers is threatened by poor water quality, which is mainly caused by sewage and bacterial pollution.
The Tijuana River Mouth, for instance, has been labelled the "Beach Bummer" by an environmental group due to the high levels of bacterial pollution. In addition, four San Diego County beaches were among the ten most polluted beaches on the West Coast during the summer dry season from 2023 to 2024, according to Heal the Bay. Sewage spills and untreated sewage releases into the Tijuana River have been identified as significant contributors to the bacterial pollution in San Diego's beaches and waterways.
To address this issue, San Diego County has implemented the Beach and Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program. This program involves testing beach waters for microbiological contaminants, specifically fecal indicator bacteria DNA, using a new droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) testing method. This advanced testing method provides faster results and is more protective of public health. When contamination is detected, the program coordinates the posting of signs to warn the public and advise against water contact.
State law mandates that local health officers issue advisories when water sample results indicate high bacteria levels and closures in the event of untreated sewage releases that reach recreational waters. These measures are essential to protect the health of residents and visitors, as bacterial pollution can lead to illnesses such as gastroenteritis, respiratory disease, fever, rashes, paralysis, meningitis, bloodstream infections, and diarrhea.
In addition to sewage, stormwater pollution is another significant contributor to bacterial contamination in San Diego's waterways. Untreated stormwater picks up pollutants such as soaps, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and trash as it flows directly into rivers, lakes, and the ocean. These pollutants introduce harmful chemicals and hazards that threaten the region's diverse wildlife, including tiny invertebrates and large animals like the California Sea Lion.
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Stormwater pollution
San Diego County is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, with a wide range of wildlife, from invertebrates to large animals like the California Sea Lion and Mountain Lion. However, stormwater pollution is a significant threat to the region's water quality and, consequently, its biodiversity.
Stormwater is untreated, meaning that it flows directly into rivers, lakes, and the ocean, carrying with it any pollutants it picks up along the way. These pollutants include soaps from washing cars, fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides from gardening, and litter, which can introduce harmful chemicals, choking hazards, and objects that could injure wildlife. For example, excess nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen from fertilizers can cause algae blooms, which deplete oxygen in the water and produce toxic chemicals harmful to people and animals.
To address this issue, San Diego County has implemented the Beach and Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program, which tests for fecal indicator bacteria DNA to inform the public about water quality and protect public health. The County also works with organizations like San Diego Coastkeeper, which provides water quality information, trains community volunteers to conduct water sampling, and advocates for clean water and a healthy environment.
Additionally, Project Clean Water is an initiative that encourages individuals to take simple, weekly actions to reduce stormwater pollution. These collective efforts aim to protect the health of residents, visitors, and the diverse wildlife that calls San Diego home.
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![Report of the New York Bay Pollution Commission to Hon. Frank Wayland Higgins, governor, March 31, 1905 ... 1905 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IX47b4r9L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Algal blooms
San Diego County's beaches are a precious natural resource, and poor water quality can threaten the health of swimmers and beachgoers, as well as the county's ocean-dependent economy. To protect public health, the Department of Environmental Health and Quality's Beach and Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program tests the waters of public beaches and bays for microbiological contaminants, and issues warnings and closures when contamination is detected.
One such contaminant is harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABs are caused by a high influx of nutrients and warmer surface waters, which leads to algae blooms on the surface. These blooms are more common during transitional periods in fall and spring when upwelling is starting or slowing down. Climate change has increased upwelling, leading to a significant increase in harmful algae blooms in San Diego County.
The most predominant harmful algae in Southern California coastal waters is Pseudo-nitzschia, which produces the toxin Domoic Acid. Domoic Acid is a neurotoxin that affects marine mammals, coastal birds, fish, and humans. Small fish, shellfish, and other tiny aquatic organisms are directly affected by Pseudo-nitzschia blooms, but sea birds, marine mammals, and humans can also experience Domoic Acid poisoning by ingesting affected organisms. Shellfish contaminated with Domoic Acid can cause amnesic shellfish poisoning, leading to memory loss, brain damage, and even death in rare cases. Other symptoms of ingesting toxins through contaminated shellfish include respiratory, skin, and gastrointestinal irritation, as well as paralysis.
The Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS) and the Central and North Ocean California Observing System (CeNCOOS) have been tracking marine HABs since 2011, with weekly sampling occurring at 9 locations from Humboldt to San Diego. The CDPH Marine Biotoxins program also coordinates a volunteer-based effort for toxic phytoplankton monitoring along the entire California coastline. Despite these efforts, there are currently no federal or state regulatory standards for HABs in recreational or drinking water.
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Tijuana River sewage
San Diego County's beaches are a precious natural resource, and poor water quality threatens the health of swimmers and beachgoers, as well as the county's ocean-dependent economy. The Tijuana River has been at the centre of a transboundary pollution crisis on the US/Mexico border for decades, resulting in public health impacts, closed beaches, and massive environmental degradation.
The core issue is Tijuana's rapid population growth and urban expansion, which has resulted in an increase in wastewater that the sewage treatment plant cannot handle. The treatment facility and many of the city's sewer lines are antiquated and unable to cope with the heavy load, leading to frequent breakdowns and overflows. This has resulted in tens of millions of gallons of raw sewage spilling into the Tijuana River and the Pacific Ocean. The problem has been compounded by regulatory and management failures, lack of maintenance, and insufficient investment in upgrading the infrastructure.
The impact of the Tijuana River sewage crisis has been profound and diverse, affecting public health, local ecosystems, and the economy. The discharge of untreated sewage containing high levels of fecal bacteria has led to frequent beach closures in the county, posing direct health risks and impacting marine life and habitats. The beaches in Imperial Beach, the South County community closest to the border and Tijuana River, have been closed for over 1,000 days, denying residents their right to safely enjoy this public resource.
The pollution has also had a detrimental effect on tourism, a vital component of the local economy, as visitors are discouraged from enjoying some of San Diego’s most popular coastal areas. The stench from the river has also worsened over the years, causing respiratory illnesses among residents.
There have been calls for urgent action to address the Tijuana River sewage crisis. Environmental groups have urged the US government to provide more funding to repair and maintain sewage treatment facilities, and for Mexico to take steps to fix sewage leaks and upgrade its infrastructure. In April 2025, the EPA Administrator, Lee Zeldin, visited San Diego to survey the situation and urged Mexico to provide a "100 percent solution" to the issue. Despite these efforts, a permanent solution to the crisis has yet to be implemented.
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Frequently asked questions
San Diego Bay is one of the precious natural resources of San Diego County. However, the water quality at the beaches in San Diego County is poor due to Tijuana River sewage. The Beach and Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program tests the waters for microbiological contaminants and coordinates the posting of signs to warn the public of contaminated water.
Stormwater pollution is one of the most persistent threats to San Diego Bay. Untreated stormwater travels directly into rivers, lakes, and oceans, carrying pollutants such as trash, harmful chemicals, choking hazards, and litter.
San Diego County has implemented the Beach and Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program to protect the public health of its residents and visitors. This program includes beach water testing, public education, outreach, and beach postings to warn of contaminated water. Additionally, community volunteers are trained to conduct monthly water quality sampling to provide vital data for decision-makers.
