In 2018, Tijuana River made American Rivers list as the second most endangered river in the United States. His photo illustrates some of the greatest pollution challenges that the river continues to endure. The organization’s walkability watch list released each spring is a sign of something much worse. The Tijuana River jumped from ninth place last year to its current position. This shocking designation should be a call to action. We really need to take on the chronic pollution problems that have affected the river for decades.
The Tijuana River watershed stretches 120 miles from southwestern Baja California into Southern California. For decades it has been buried under the regurgitated bacteria of raw sewage and industrial effluent pollution. What was once a pollution issue has become a local public health and environmental justice emergency. The river mouth at Imperial Beach is the only connection the Tijuana River has with the rest of the world. This contamination endangers public health and undermines the cohesion of the environment.
Chronic Pollution Issues
For far too long, the Tijuana River has been endangered by catastrophic environmental racism. Over time it has gotten badly polluted by treated sewage discharge and industrial effluent. For decades, untreated wastewater from Tijuana has poured into the U.S., an environmentally catastrophic and public health emergency. This pollution not only fouls the river, but it fouls the lives of people who live right by it. The South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant was intended to control this raw sewage inflow, but it is presently out of service. This neglect is compounded by ongoing deterioration.
American Rivers recently sounded the alarm on the Tijuana River, an area that’s been steadily declining. It is now second on their list, just behind the Mississippi River. The organization has worked really hard to put a spotlight on this enormous environmental disaster. It further calls for significant actions to address the long-standing harms caused by this pollution. According to the report, knowledge is key. It does underscore the fact that this increased awareness should translate into tangible action to improve, clean up, and restore the river.
Water quality in the Tijuana River is in a freefall of deterioration. This rapid decline threatens both local wildlife and the health of future residents living next to these developments. Contaminated water poses significant health risks, including gastrointestinal illnesses and other serious conditions. The effects of this pollution are far-reaching, harming bottom-line economies that depend on clean water and healthy ecosystems.
Urgent Need for Funding and Action
Addressing the pollution challenges faced by the Tijuana River requires immediate funding and concerted efforts from both state and federal governments. The South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant needs substantial financial support to restore its functionality and effectively manage sewage from Tijuana. Without this critical investment, the status quo will only get worse, perpetually and unnecessarily threatening public health and natural resources.
Experts say more baseline pollution monitoring and long-term health studies are required in communities along the river. They work to uplift the community by making infrastructural improvements like repairing treatment facilities. These measures can effectively identify and quantify the unique health risks posed by contaminated water and provide a foundation for targeted interventions. Local governments cannot do this alone — they need to have real partnerships with federal entities. Working hand in hand, they can win critical funding and develop strong pollution reduction standards.
American Rivers’ choice this year to move Tijuana River up their 10 most endangered list should be a wake-up call. This is the time to raise immediate national attention and action to address persistent pollution problems. It also exposes the broken response measures we’ve seen to date. It’s critical that stakeholders come together to restore this essential waterway, not just to protect public health, but to ensure a thriving, sustainable future for all local communities.
The Path Forward
Increasingly, the awareness of the Tijuana River’s sad fate. Community leaders and environmental advocates are organizing to fight these inequities in new, bold ways. They make the case that pollution has become more than just an environmental justice issue. It’s a public health crisis that needs to be addressed now.
Community engagement should be the principle driving change. Local organizations are working diligently to educate residents about the risks associated with river pollution while advocating for policy changes that prioritize environmental justice. Public forums and outreach initiatives are critical in continuing to build momentum for meaningful collaboration between state agencies, residents, and environmental advocates.