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Sewage seeps into California beach city from Mexico, changing residents’ lives forever: “It’s like being locked in a portable toilet”

California resident Shannon Johnson lives a few blocks from Imperial Beach’s turquoise waters and waves with “perfect little curls,” but Johnson and her two young children live just a few blocks away from the turquoise waters and “perfect little curls” of the waves. I haven’t set foot on the beach in 2019.

“Every time we go to the beach, they ask, ‘Are you going to clean it? When are you going to fix it?'” said Johnson, 45, a former Surfrider Foundation activist who lives in Imperial. Beach, a small coastal city of 26,000 people, 20 minutes from San Diego, founded in 2010.

Heavy metals, toxic chemicals and bacteria including E. coli were detected in the water, San Diego State University said. report It was released last month. Researchers called the contamination a “public health crisis.” As a result, beaches have been closed for more than 700 consecutive days, leaving residents like Johnson feeling stuck indoors with no end in sight.

Screenshot-2024-03-15-at-1-01-56-pm.png
Floods from the Tijuana River in Mexico caused sewage to flow into Imperial Beach, California, forcing the beach to be closed for 700 days.

Prebes Foundation


In the past five years, 100 billion gallons Untreated sewage flows through Mexico’s Tijuana River and into the Pacific Ocean off the shores of seaside towns, contaminating air, water and soil, posing a risk to the environment and public health.

In addition to concerns about exposure to pollutants, other factors stemming from sewage are keeping residents indoors. “It’s the worst smell. It gets into your lungs, it gets into your clothes. It’s disgusting,” Johnson said.

Aging sewage treatment plant and “unbearable odor”

Sewage problems are not new. Concerns about Tijuana River pollution date back to at least 2011. 1930s — But the problem is getting worse every year. [“60 Minutes” reported on the problem in 2020 — watch more in the video player above.]

At its heart are two aging wastewater treatment plants on either side of the U.S.-Mexico border: the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant and the San Antonio de los Buenos Wastewater Treatment Plant. The former is located in San Diego County and was built in the late 1990s to accommodate the influx of sewage from the growing population of Baja California, Mexico.

“Dangerous pathogens and chemicals in contaminated water pose a wide range of short- and long-term health risks, from gastrointestinal problems to neurological disorders,” the SDSU report said.

As the population grew to more than 3 million people as of 2020, factories are overwhelmed and unequipped to handle extreme weather events such as: hurricane hilary In 2023, existing problems with factory infrastructure worsened. On January 11th, Mexico Rehabilitation efforts At the San Antonio de los Buenos sewage treatment plant in Tijuana, millions of gallons per day of sewage into the Pacific Ocean.Country agreed to invest We donated $33 million to replace aging plants and $50 million to the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Facility.

Sign near the beach in Imperial City, California
Sewage is seeping into California’s coastal city of Imperial Beach through Mexico’s Tijuana River, closing beaches and disrupting residents’ lives.

Prebes Foundation


In 2022, $300 million in federal funding was earmarked for the power plant’s renovation, sparking optimism among some residents. Marvell Harrison, 67, a psychologist who moved to Imperial Beach with her retired husband in 2020, said she was relieved to learn of the funding.

But since then, the factory has picked up. Repairs cost $150 millionurges California Governor Gavin Newsom to extend expansion efforts ask a question to parliament An additional $310 million.

For Harrison and her husband, the future of Imperial Beach depends on a timely solution. In 2015, the couple began the process of building a home on the water, investing in expensive equipment such as custom windows to incorporate indoor and outdoor living spaces. Nearly 10 years later, the windows are still closed and we are considering moving.

Marvel Harrison and husband
Marvell Harrison, 67, a psychologist who moved to Imperial Beach with her retired husband in 2020, is concerned about the sewage seeping into the town.

Marvel Harrison


“We found ourselves looking at other places we might live. And it’s a real shame considering this is where and how we wanted to retire.” she said, noting that she was in her 60s. hang on. “

Johnson faces a similar choice. Even though her husband’s family has Imperial Beach roots dating back to the 1950s, she said they often consider other options. “You live here to go outside, but we can’t actually go outside and feel comfortable and safe,” she said.

In a letter compiled by Mr Harrison from local residents calling on elected officials to take action, one resident described the stench as “like being trapped in a portable toilet”. The smell is said to be so strong that it wakes you up at night.

Potential health effects extend beyond odor

But there’s more than just bad smells in the air. A recent study found evidence of coastal water pollution in the Tijuana River in the form of sea spray aerosols, which can spread to areas that would otherwise be unaffected by the pollution, such as schools and homes. The SDSU report says the effects of air pollution are still unknown, more research is needed, and some community members are struggling for answers.

Johnson said she has health issues and has suffered two unexplained pulmonary embolisms, and is concerned that the environment may have been a contributing factor. “In the back of my mind, I thought, maybe it has something to do with the air I’m breathing?”

Her children, ages 9 and 10, attend an elementary school near a river valley where the smell is particularly strong. “They say, ‘Why does it smell so bad? Is it safe?'” Johnson said. “Well, I guess so. What should I tell them?”

Screenshot-2024-03-15-at-12-59-58-pm.png
Flooding in Imperial Beach, California due to aging waste treatment facilities.

Prebes Foundation


The anxiety of residents not only prevents them from enjoying the beach, but also leads to lifestyle changes in some cases.

Ms Harrison said the community was in a state of “chronic anxiety” and was thinking twice before inviting guests into her home due to concerns about the potential health effects. She said sewage is a constant topic of discussion within her social circles.

“As much as the stench permeates the air, this topic permeates the stress and anxiety in the lives of everyone here,” she said.

Another reminder of the impact of sewage is on wildlife. Bottlenose dolphins are increasingly stranded in San Diego. died of sepsis It is caused by bacteria that are sometimes found in contaminated water. According to the SDSU report, dolphins “act as sentinels to guard against potential human exposure to dangerous bacteria.”

Some of the more pressing health threats emerging from sewage include human and livestock diseases of Mexican origin, which have been eradicated in California, and antibiotic-resistant pathogens, the report said.

“Both short- and long-term health risks may be associated with exposure, highlighting the need for more comprehensive monitoring and research,” said Paula, one of the report’s lead authors. Dr. Stigler-Granados said in a recent news release. meeting.

Imperial Beach is experiencing a wave of sewage complications. But for Johnson, the goal is simple. He said he “just wants to see this resolved so our kids can get back to enjoying the beach as they should.”

Summarize this content to 100 words California resident Shannon Johnson lives a few blocks from Imperial Beach’s turquoise waters and waves with “perfect little curls,” but Johnson and her two young children live just a few blocks away from the turquoise waters and “perfect little curls” of the waves. I haven’t set foot on the beach in 2019.”Every time we go to the beach, they ask, ‘Are you going to clean it? When are you going to fix it?'” said Johnson, 45, a former Surfrider Foundation activist who lives in Imperial. Beach, a small coastal city of 26,000 people, 20 minutes from San Diego, founded in 2010.Heavy metals, toxic chemicals and bacteria including E. coli were detected in the water, San Diego State University said. report It was released last month. Researchers called the contamination a “public health crisis.” As a result, beaches have been closed for more than 700 consecutive days, leaving residents like Johnson feeling stuck indoors with no end in sight.

Floods from the Tijuana River in Mexico caused sewage to flow into Imperial Beach, California, forcing the beach to be closed for 700 days.

Prebes Foundation

In the past five years, 100 billion gallons Untreated sewage flows through Mexico’s Tijuana River and into the Pacific Ocean off the shores of seaside towns, contaminating air, water and soil, posing a risk to the environment and public health.

In addition to concerns about exposure to pollutants, other factors stemming from sewage are keeping residents indoors. “It’s the worst smell. It gets into your lungs, it gets into your clothes. It’s disgusting,” Johnson said. Aging sewage treatment plant and “unbearable odor”Sewage problems are not new. Concerns about Tijuana River pollution date back to at least 2011. 1930s — But the problem is getting worse every year. [“60 Minutes” reported on the problem in 2020 — watch more in the video player above.]

At its heart are two aging wastewater treatment plants on either side of the U.S.-Mexico border: the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant and the San Antonio de los Buenos Wastewater Treatment Plant. The former is located in San Diego County and was built in the late 1990s to accommodate the influx of sewage from the growing population of Baja California, Mexico.”Dangerous pathogens and chemicals in contaminated water pose a wide range of short- and long-term health risks, from gastrointestinal problems to neurological disorders,” the SDSU report said.As the population grew to more than 3 million people as of 2020, factories are overwhelmed and unequipped to handle extreme weather events such as: hurricane hilary In 2023, existing problems with factory infrastructure worsened. On January 11th, Mexico Rehabilitation efforts At the San Antonio de los Buenos sewage treatment plant in Tijuana, millions of gallons per day of sewage into the Pacific Ocean.Country agreed to invest We donated $33 million to replace aging plants and $50 million to the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Facility.

Sewage is seeping into California’s coastal city of Imperial Beach through Mexico’s Tijuana River, closing beaches and disrupting residents’ lives.

Prebes Foundation

In 2022, $300 million in federal funding was earmarked for the power plant’s renovation, sparking optimism among some residents. Marvell Harrison, 67, a psychologist who moved to Imperial Beach with her retired husband in 2020, said she was relieved to learn of the funding.

But since then, the factory has picked up. Repairs cost $150 millionurges California Governor Gavin Newsom to extend expansion efforts ask a question to parliament An additional $310 million. For Harrison and her husband, the future of Imperial Beach depends on a timely solution. In 2015, the couple began the process of building a home on the water, investing in expensive equipment such as custom windows to incorporate indoor and outdoor living spaces. Nearly 10 years later, the windows are still closed and we are considering moving.

Marvell Harrison, 67, a psychologist who moved to Imperial Beach with her retired husband in 2020, is concerned about the sewage seeping into the town.

Marvel Harrison

“We found ourselves looking at other places we might live. And it’s a real shame considering this is where and how we wanted to retire.” she said, noting that she was in her 60s. hang on. “Johnson faces a similar choice. Even though her husband’s family has Imperial Beach roots dating back to the 1950s, she said they often consider other options. “You live here to go outside, but we can’t actually go outside and feel comfortable and safe,” she said. In a letter compiled by Mr Harrison from local residents calling on elected officials to take action, one resident described the stench as “like being trapped in a portable toilet”. The smell is said to be so strong that it wakes you up at night.Potential health effects extend beyond odorBut there’s more than just bad smells in the air. A recent study found evidence of coastal water pollution in the Tijuana River in the form of sea spray aerosols, which can spread to areas that would otherwise be unaffected by the pollution, such as schools and homes. The SDSU report says the effects of air pollution are still unknown, more research is needed, and some community members are struggling for answers. Johnson said she has health issues and has suffered two unexplained pulmonary embolisms, and is concerned that the environment may have been a contributing factor. “In the back of my mind, I thought, maybe it has something to do with the air I’m breathing?”

Her children, ages 9 and 10, attend an elementary school near a river valley where the smell is particularly strong. “They say, ‘Why does it smell so bad? Is it safe?'” Johnson said. “Well, I guess so. What should I tell them?”

Flooding in Imperial Beach, California due to aging waste treatment facilities.

Prebes Foundation

The anxiety of residents not only prevents them from enjoying the beach, but also leads to lifestyle changes in some cases. Ms Harrison said the community was in a state of “chronic anxiety” and was thinking twice before inviting guests into her home due to concerns about the potential health effects. She said sewage is a constant topic of discussion within her social circles.“As much as the stench permeates the air, this topic permeates the stress and anxiety in the lives of everyone here,” she said. Another reminder of the impact of sewage is on wildlife. Bottlenose dolphins are increasingly stranded in San Diego. died of sepsis It is caused by bacteria that are sometimes found in contaminated water. According to the SDSU report, dolphins “act as sentinels to guard against potential human exposure to dangerous bacteria.”Some of the more pressing health threats emerging from sewage include human and livestock diseases of Mexican origin, which have been eradicated in California, and antibiotic-resistant pathogens, the report said.”Both short- and long-term health risks may be associated with exposure, highlighting the need for more comprehensive monitoring and research,” said Paula, one of the report’s lead authors. Dr. Stigler-Granados said in a recent news release. meeting.

Imperial Beach is experiencing a wave of sewage complications. But for Johnson, the goal is simple. He said he “just wants to see this resolved so our kids can get back to enjoying the beach as they should.”

More from CBS News

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/imperial-beach-california-sewage-mexico-tijuana-river-public-health-crisis/ Sewage seeps into California beach city from Mexico, changing residents’ lives forever: “It’s like being locked in a portable toilet”

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