County warns work on Border sewage system could temporarily increase flows, odors
The second and final phase of work on the connection of the new International Collector sewer line in Mexico will begin on May 13 and could temporarily increase wastewater flows to the U.S., according to the IBWC.
The work is expected to take about a week to complete.
The sewer line being worked on moves untreated wastewater to the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (ITP) in the U.S. and the San Antonio de los Buenos Plant in Mexico.
EPA head discusses visit to San Diego on Tijuana River sewage crisis
The IBWC says the completion of the sewer line is critical for preventing potential catastrophic failures and increasing the reliability of Tijuana's wastewater infrastructure.
If the wastewater flows do increase, it could cause an increase in odors in San Diego's South Bay neighborhoods near the Tijuana River Valley, according to the Air Pollution Control District, and could also increase the pollution levels at South Bay beaches.
The US International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) said it has been working with Mexico to mitigate wastewater spills as much as possible and have coordinated bypass lines to pump as much wastewater as possible to the ITP.
The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) monitors odor complaints and hydrogen sulfide levels for communities near the Tijuana River Valley.
County launches new interactive map of Tijuana River sewage impacts
If the odors continue, SDAPCD says South Bay residents near the Tijuana River Valley can take the following precautions to reduce exposure to the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) odors:
Limit outdoor activities if you smell strong odors
Keep doors and windows closed to prevent odor from coming indoors. Air out your home or building when odor is not present
Use air conditioning if available and/or indoor air purifiers. Filters with activated charcoal are recommended.
People with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other chronic lung conditions should have their rescue medication(s) readily available.
If symptoms from strong odor persists, are worrisome, or worsen, seek medical care.
Residents in South Bay communities near the Tijuana River Valley impacted by the odors from the sewage flows at the U.S.-Mexico border can apply for a free air purifier part of the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District's (SDAPCD) AIRE Program.
On Friday, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin took to X following his Earth Day visit to San Diego to say, 'This week, EPA transmitted to Mexico a proposed '100% solution' that would PERMANENTLY END the decades-old crisis of raw sewage flowing in to the U.S. from Mexico. Next, technical groups from both nations will be meeting to work through the details necessary to hopefully reach an urgent agreement.'
Tijuana River the second most endangered river in US in 2025
More information on the ongoing pollution in the Tijuana River Valley and South County beach water is available from the SDAPCD, IBWC and the County's dedicated South Region Health Concerns webpage.
The County also recently launched an interactive online dashboard and map displaying current environmental conditions in South County including beach water quality and sewage odor data.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


UPI
2 hours ago
- UPI
Greece and Turkey battle wildfires and extreme heat; Turkey sees 122 F
1 of 2 | Firefighters and volunteers battle a wildfire in the area of Kryoneri, in the suburbs of Athens, Greece, on Saturday. Photo by Yannis Kolesidis/EPA July 27 (UPI) -- Extreme heat, high winds and fires have plagued parts of Greece and Turkey amid the high tourist season as temperatures in Greece have risen to 111.2 degrees and in Turkey to 122.9 degrees. In the Karabuk province of Turkey, firefighters have battled fires for four days. In Eskisehir, Turkey, 10 people died on Wednesday, BBC reported. Ibrahim Yumakli, Turkey's forestry minister, said on Sunday that areas affected by fires were "going through risky times" and that it would be several days before they were fully contained. Some local authorities have restricted water consumption, including for the resort of Cesme on Turkey's west coast. Greece is battling five major wildfires with extreme temperatures likely to continue. There are 11 regions of the country at "very high risk of fire." Greece has formally asked for assistance from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for six firefighting aircraft. Two major fires are on the islands of Kythira and Evia. Kythira, which is popular with tourists, is just off the tip of the Peloponnese peninsula, and Evia is a large island northeast of Athens. Firefighters were still battling to control major blazes on Kythira and Messinia, on the Peloponnese peninsula, Vassilis Vathrakoyiannis, Greece's fire service spokesperson, said. A fire in Kryoneri, a suburb northeast of Athens, has been contained. On Kythira, a blaze broke out Saturday morning in the village of Pitsinades. According to initial estimates, about 20% of the island has been affected by the fire. New evacuation alerts were issued Sunday, when the government ordered residents of several villages to leave. The fire service would not have been able to cope if "there had been another two or three fires like the one near Athens," Vathrakoyiannis told the New York Times. "The state mechanism has been called to engage in a titanic battle, simultaneously responding to dozens of wildfires across the country," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a statement. "To those who saw their properties destroyed by the fury of fire, know that the state will stand by your side." Climate crisis and civil protection minister Giannis Kefalogiannis previously said they "have injured firefighters, human lives were put at risk, properties have been burned, and forest areas have been destroyed." Public broadcaster ERT reported on Kythira that "Tte first images are resonant of a biblical disaster as huge areas have been reduced to cinders and ash," The Guardian reported. The island's deputy mayor, Giorgos Komninos, was cited as saying: "Everything, from houses, beehives [to] olive trees has been burnt." Fires in Greece are becoming more frequent in the hot summers. Earlier this month, a fire forced 1,500 people to evacuate from homes and hotels on Crete, a popular tourist island. Scientists have designated the Mediterranean, including much of Greece, a "wildfire hotspot" as blazes become more frequent and destructive during hot, parched summers. Governments of the affected countries say the climate crisis is the cause.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Swimming warning over sewage leak at Aberdeen beach
People are being advised to avoid swimming and paddling at Aberdeen beach after sewage was discharged into the sea. The spill happened during a power outage at Nigg Waste Water Treatment Works, which also caused a power cut in the area on Friday. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said power had been restored but confirmed sewage was discharged into the sea close to Aberdeen harbour. A spokesperson said its "temporary guidance" was to avoid bathing in the area until it was satisfied that the situation had returned to normal. More stories from North East Scotland, Orkney and Shetland Listen to news from North East Scotland on BBC Sounds


Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
Americans Advised To Avoid the Sun in 16 States
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Americans in at least 16 states could see heightened levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on Friday, according to a forecast published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Why It Matters The EPA cautions that elevated UV radiation levels can increase the risk of skin burns, eye damage and long-term health problems such as skin cancer. What To Know The UV index ranges from 1 to 11. The levels, and their corresponding advice, are: 1-2: Low (minimal risk from UV rays for the average person) Wear sunglasses on bright days. In winter, snow can reflect UV rays and nearly double exposure. Use SPF 15+ sunscreen if you burn easily. 3-5: Moderate (moderate risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure) Cover up, wear a hat and sunglasses. Use SPF 15+ sunscreen. Stay in the shade near midday when the sun is strongest. 6-7: High (high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure) Seek shade during the midday hours. Wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and SPF 15+ sunscreen. 8-10: Very High (very high risk of harm; sun protection is essential) Take extra precautions, including wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves. Minimize exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Be aware: white sand and similar surfaces reflect UV rays and increase exposure. 11+: Extreme (extreme risk of harm) Try to avoid sun exposure from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reapply SPF 30+ sunscreen every 2 hours. Seek shade, wear full coverage, and use sun protection. An EPA forecast map shows which areas could see the highest UV levels on Friday. An EPA forecast map shows which areas could see the highest UV levels on Friday. Environmental Protection Agency According to the EPA's UV index forecast for solar noon—when the sun is at its highest point in the sky—parts of the following states could see levels of at least 11 on Friday. California Nevada Utah Wyoming Arizona Colorado New Mexico Texas Oklahoma Louisiana Mississippi Alabama Georgia Florida North Carolina South Carolina What People Are Saying Antony Young, emeritus professor of experimental photobiology and dermatology at King's College, London, previously told Newsweek: "The UV index [UVI] is a measure of the sunburning power of higher the UVI, the shorter the time you need in the sun to burn." Richard Weller, a professor of medical dermatology at the University of Edinburgh, previously told Newsweek that sunlight can cause photoaging, the premature aging of the skin as a result of prolonged and repeated exposure to UV radiation. "Sunburn is a risk factor for melanoma skin cancer, which is the most serious of the skin cancers." What Happens Next Each day, the UV index forecast map is created using data provided by the National Weather Service, the EPA says.