Padilla, San Diego Congressional Delegation Secure CDC Investigation of Harmful Tijuana River Air Pollution

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Representatives Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52), Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-51), and Mike Levin (D-Calif.-49) announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will investigate the public health impacts of air pollution caused by the ongoing Tijuana River transboundary pollution crisis, following the lawmakers' request last year. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) will conduct a public health assessment of hydrogen sulfide in the air around the Tijuana River and the surrounding communities of Imperial Beach, Coronado, and San Diego.

The Members previously urged the CDC to conduct this critical public health study. Based on a preliminary review of environmental sampling data for chemical contaminants, ATSDR agreed to further examine the harms of exposure to hydrogen sulfide in the air and issue their evaluation findings in a written public report. They will also issue recommendations to combat related public health challenges if warranted.

"For decades, hazardous toxic waste and raw sewage flows have polluted the air Southern California residents breathe and caused devastating public health impacts," said Senator Padilla. "The CDC's commitment to investigating the health impacts of hydrogen sulfide is an important step in addressing the public health and environmental crises that have plagued the Tijuana River Valley region for far too long. I'm glad the CDC is taking my concerns seriously, and I look forward to seeing their critical findings and recommendations in the report we requested."

"For too long, South Bay residents have been dealing with toxic sewage in the Tijuana River, raising serious concerns about health and safety. That's why our Congressional delegation brought in the CDC to investigate. Now, after completing initial research, the CDC has agreed that there is enough data to warrant a comprehensive public health assessment in south San Diego County," said Representative Vargas. "As a next step, the CDC will conduct a full study to determine whether exposure to measured levels of hydrogen sulfide in the air near the Tijuana River could be harmful to people's health. Our communities deserve answers, and this is a critical step forward. I'll keep pushing for the resources and information we need."

"San Diegans - and particularly communities in the South Bay and servicemembers stationed in Coronado - have reported severe symptoms after prolonged exposure to toxic cross-border sewage," said Representative Peters. "I'm encouraged the CDC is conducting further research to better understand the full scope of the harm to public health from this crisis. I will continue to monitor the progress of this study and how to best protect our communities."

"For decades, San Diegans have been scared about the health impacts of living and working near the Tijuana River Valley because of the ongoing flow of sewage and pollution. That's why I'm so proud that the CDC is heeding our urgent calls to study whether the hydrogen sulfide in the air harms our public health. This concrete data will be crucial to make an even stronger case for more federal assistance and attention," said Representative Jacobs.

The CDC will also continue to examine environmental sampling data to determine whether surface water, sediment, and biota results warrant further public health assessment activities.

In just the last five years, more than 100 billion gallons of toxic sewage, trash, and unmanaged stormwater have flowed across the United States-Mexico border into the Tijuana River Valley and neighboring communities, forcing long-lasting beach closures and causing harmful impacts on public health, the environment, and water quality. U.S. military personnel, border patrol agents, and the local economy have also suffered harmful impacts from airborne and waterborne transboundary sewage flows. In 2023, sewage flowed across the border at the highest volume in a quarter century, exceeding 44 billion gallons.

Senator Padilla has prioritized addressing the Tijuana River pollution crisis since he first came to the Senate, recently working with the San Diego Congressional delegation to secure $250 million in the federal disaster relief package to clean up the Tijuana River. This marked the final tranche of funding required to complete the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP) upgrade project. The project broke ground in October 2024, and over the next five years, the SBIWTP will double in capacity, reducing transboundary flows by 90 percent. Mexico's rehabilitated San Antonio de los Buenos wastewater treatment plant is expected to be fully operational by Spring 2025, further reducing flows to California communities.

Senator Padilla and the delegation also recently secured a $200 million authorization for the Tijuana River Valley Watershed and San Diego County through the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 to help address the ongoing transboundary sewage crisis through stormwater conveyance, environmental and ecosystem restoration, and water quality protection projects. They also delivered over $103 million in additional funding for the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) in the bipartisan FY 2024 appropriations package. Padilla previously successfully secured language in the FY 2023 appropriations package to allow the Environmental Protection Agency to unlock $300 million previously secured in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement to the IBWC for water infrastructure projects. Last year, Padilla and Representatives Peters and Vargas announced bicameral legislation to help combat the Tijuana River sewage pollution crisis. Padilla previously visited the IBWC facility and the Tijuana River Valley in June 2023.

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