Board Approves Next Steps in Tijuana River Valley Soil Contamination Study

The County Board of Supervisors today voted to ask the State Water Resources Control Board to fund a $1.4 million study to test the ground and water within the Tijuana River Valley for contamination.

The two-year study, called a Sediment Quality Object Triad Analysis, is a standard scientific method for testing soil and sediment chemistry, toxicity and ecological impacts.

"This study is an important step in identifying hard evidence required by the Environmental Protection Agency to act and move toward a Superfund designation," said Board Chair Terra Lawson Reemer. "This work is all in an effort toward ensuring that residents are no longer left to live, work, and raise families in the shadow of one of America's most contaminated waterways."

As part of the study, 11 sites from Los Peñasquitos Lagoon to Famosa Slough will be tested to get a broader understanding of sediment along coastal waterways.

Along with advocating for funding, the Board directed that a letter be sent to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator requesting active coordination in identifying toxic chemicals and thresholds relevant to a federal Superfund designation.

In a separate action, the Board accepted an update from County staff on other ongoing efforts to address the Tijuana River Valley Crisis.

Those actions included expanded messaging and outreach about the Air Pollution Control District's Air Improvement Relief Program which has distributed more than 6,800 special air purifiers to households impacted by gases, such as hydrogen sulfide.

County staff also are looking into the options for an epidemiological health study on the long-term impacts of chronic hydrogen sulfide and other exposures along with a feasibility study to address elevated hydrogen sulfide and other gas concentrations surrounding the river crossing at Saturn Boulevard.

In addition, the County Office of Economic Development and Government Affairs is coordinating efforts to do a study on the economic impacts of the Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis on small businesses, property values and tourism.

The County continues to collaborate with regional leaders, local, regional and federal agencies, healthcare providers, researchers, schools, community members and environmental justice coalitions on efforts surrounding the Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis in order to meet community needs.

These efforts are taking place in parallel with a public health assessment being conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The two-year study is evaluating the Tijuana River Valley for hazardous substances, health outcomes, and community concerns.

Residents can use an interactive dashboard on the County's Tijuana River Valley Sewage Crisis website to check beach water quality, hydrogen sulfide levels, air quality complaints and wastewater flows all in one place.

Mental health resources are available for anyone feeling emotionally affected by the Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis through the San Diego Access Crisis Line by calling 1-888-724-7240 or 988.