San Diego Supervisors Vote to Study Health, Economic Toll of Tijuana River Sewage Crisis and Seek $50 Million from State
San Diego, California (High Desert News Online) – On Sept. 9, 2025, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved studies into the health and economic harms from the Tijuana River sewage crisis and formally requested $50 million from the state to fund cleanup and protections.
Key takeaways
- Two studies approved: an epidemiological public health study and an economic impact study to document illnesses and financial losses tied to the Tijuana River sewage crisis.
- $50 million sought: the board is asking the state for $50 million to fund Tijuana River Valley projects to reduce pollution and protect public health.
- Immediate hotspot work: $270,000 was redirected from a park project to address hazardous hotspots such as Saturn Boulevard.
- Five-point plan: Supervisor Paloma Aguirre’s Sewage Action Plan emphasizes hotspots, children and schools, studies, economic data and a sewage crisis commissioner.
The board’s vote: what was approved and why
After months of public pressure and mounting evidence that routine discharges from Tijuana are harming residents, workers and businesses, the board approved two major studies: an epidemiological public health impact study and an economic impact study. The public health study will document illnesses tied to chronic exposure to sewage pollution and airborne compounds such as hydrogen sulfide. The economic study will measure losses to small businesses, property values and regional tourism caused by beach closures, foul odors and other disruptions.
Lead sponsor: Supervisor Paloma Aguirre, newly elected in District 1, led the push using a five-point Sewage Action Plan that calls for eliminating toxic hotspots, protecting children and schools, commissioning studies, gathering economic data and naming a sewage crisis commissioner to coordinate a long-term response.
“This plan is about evidence — measuring the harm so we can fix it,” said county leaders as they approved study actions and funding redirections.
Funding and priorities: $50 million request and redirected local funds
The board agreed to ask the state for $50 million to help pay for projects across the Tijuana River Valley. County officials said the funds would supplement federal and state investments that have not prevented frequent pollution events and would support cleanup work, infrastructure upgrades and community protections.
In the short term, the county redirected $270,000 that had been set aside for a park project to address the most hazardous river hotspots. Staff identified locations such as Saturn Boulevard, where repeated releases have sickened residents and produced severe odors, as immediate priorities.
Source: The Coronado News; KPBS
What the studies will look for
County leaders say the epidemiological study will examine patterns of illness in communities repeatedly exposed to river pollution. That includes tracking respiratory problems, headaches, nausea and other health complaints reported by residents and workers. Public health experts from San Diego State University and others have long urged such a study to better document links between exposure and disease.
The economic impact study will quantify effects on small businesses, tourism and property values — measuring losses tied to beach closures, cancellations, foul odors, mitigation costs (like air purifiers) and lost work days. Findings are intended to guide future investments and make the cost of inaction tangible for lawmakers.
Sources: The Coronado News; KPBS; Public briefing video
Context: ongoing federal and bi-national efforts
County measures join a broader patchwork of fixes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Mexican authorities have reached agreements to address cross-border flows, and both Congress and the California legislature have approved funds and laws aimed at the watershed. Still, residents and officials say chronic contamination and attendant public health harms persist despite these steps.
Sources: KPBS; U.S. EPA news release; California Senate news
Advocates and residents: environmental justice framing
Community groups and health advocates describe the situation as an “environmental justice catastrophe.” They emphasize that working-class, border communities bear the worst harms — children who play near contaminated areas, workers who clean up messes, and families living beside polluted waterways. Public health experts urge rigorous science to clarify links between exposure and disease so policymakers can respond.
Sources: The Coronado News; Public briefing video
Oversight, timelines and next steps
The board approved the studies in principle but said final appropriations for the epidemiological study will return to the board for full approval. County staff must still define study costs, methods and timelines. Officials cautioned that rigorous studies take time. Meanwhile, supervisors plan stronger lobbying at state and federal levels to secure the $50 million request and press for expanded bi‑national cleanup work.
Sources: The Coronado News; Voice of San Diego
Related plans on hold
Larger redevelopment ideas tied to the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park, including a proposed “Gateway to the Californias” recreation and business hub, are paused until pollution is controlled. County planners say major investments would be misguided while hazardous sewage and industrial runoff persist in the river.
Source: KPBS
Implications for The High Desert, California
Economic impact
The High Desert could feel indirect economic effects if contamination continues to close beaches and deter visitors. Tourism dollars may shift away from the county, reducing demand for hotels, restaurants and retail. The planned economic study aims to quantify such losses so state lawmakers can see the broader cost of inaction.
Public health
Airborne compounds like hydrogen sulfide reported near hotspot sites raise concerns across nearby counties. The High Desert could be affected if regional air quality worsens during major pollution flows or if workers commute between regions. Local health departments should monitor the epidemiological study and update guidance for schools and vulnerable populations as needed.
Political consequences
Moderate conservative voters in the High Desert often prioritize public safety, fiscal responsibility and local control. The board’s focus on data-driven studies and targeted infrastructure fixes aligns with those priorities. If studies show measurable economic and health damages, state funding becomes politically easier to justify; local leaders may press lawmakers to ensure funds for San Diego do not reduce projects elsewhere.
Social and cultural effects
Continued pollution erodes trust in government protections and strains cross-border relations. The High Desert’s communities may look to San Diego’s evidence-based approach as a model for responding to environmental problems that affect public health and local economies.
Practical steps for residents and leaders
- Track the studies: High Desert officials should monitor study progress and be prepared to advocate for fair state funding.
- Prepare health guidance: Local clinics and school districts should plan to update guidance if regional findings suggest wider risks.
- Quantify indirect impacts: Business groups and chambers of commerce may want to estimate tourism and supply-chain effects reaching inland economies.
Sources and further reading
- San Diego County supervisors approve studies on sewage crisis impacts — The Coronado News
- County to study health, economic impacts of cross-border sewage — KPBS
- South County report: Aguirre wields new powers against sewage crisis — Voice of San Diego
- Public briefing video — YouTube
- U.S. EPA news release on U.S.-Mexico agreement
- California Senate news on Tijuana River watershed protections
What’s next: County leaders say details on budgets, study design and timelines will be set in coming months. The board is pressing state lawmakers for the $50 million request while preparing to return with final approvals for the epidemiological study. Citizens, businesses and local officials across San Diego County and the High Desert will watch as planning moves toward action.
