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
Newsweek
18 hours 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.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
Americans in 5 States Urged to Keep Windows Shut
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. Air quality alerts were in effect across parts of five states on Thursday, with the National Weather Service (NWS), in coordination with regional agencies, advising residents to take steps to reduce the impacts of air pollution. Why It Matters The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that exposure to ozone may irritate the respiratory tract, cause airway inflammation, and aggravate existing conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Regarding particle pollution, the EPA states that studies have linked exposure to a range of health effects, including respiratory symptoms such as coughing and wheezing, the development of asthma, and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. Experts recommend keeping windows and doors closed during periods of low air quality. What To Know As of Thursday morning, air quality alerts were in effect for Minnesota, Ohio, Connecticut, Colorado, and Wisconsin. In Minnesota, an air quality alert was issued due to fine particle pollution. Smoke from wildfires in Canada's Saskatchewan and Manitoba regions was expected to reach southwestern, northeastern, and central parts of the state on Thursday after covering the northwest the day prior, officials said. "Some uncertainty remains regarding how far south the ground-level smoke will reach by Friday morning, when winds are expected to become southerly and push the smoke back to the north. Air quality should improve gradually from south to north beginning Friday afternoon, with improvement in fine particle levels below the alert threshold expected by the end of Friday," read the alert. Residents were advised to keep their windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from entering their homes. Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, an air quality alert was issued for the northwestern part of the state, also due to wildfire smoke originating from Canada. In Connecticut, an air quality action day was announced for Hartford and northern Fairfield, New Haven, and Middlesex Counties. "An Air Quality Action Day means that Ground Level Ozone concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards," the alert said. In Ohio, An Air Quality Advisory for ground-level ozone was issued by the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency for Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit Counties. It was in force until midnight Thursday night. "Air quality levels will be unhealthy for sensitive groups during this period," read the alert. Locals were advised to drive less and use alternative modes of transportation, such as public transit and biking, if possible, to help reduce regional air pollution. Additionally, Colorado's Mesa County had been issued an air quality advisory due to smoke from "both in-state and out-of-state wildfires. According to a live map from the non-profit Watch Duty, the Turner Gulch fire in the county had burned over 17,000 acres and was at 41 percent containment at the time of writing. What People Are Saying AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham previously told Newsweek: "Ozone is a secondary pollutant, meaning it's not emitted directly from sources, but is formed through chemical reactions. These reactions require sunlight and higher temperatures, making warmer months more prone to ozone formation. When air is stagnant, pollutants don't get dispersed, allowing ozone to build up to unhealthy levels." What Happens Next The NWS issues regular forecasts on its website and social media channels.
UPI
4 days ago
- UPI
South Korea's president proclaims disaster after 19 die in flooding
On Monday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (C) visited the flood-damaged village of Sancheong in the southeast province of South Gyeongsang after a landslide following heavy rainfall. On Tuesday, the president declared a special emergency disaster to unleash further aid. Photo By EPA/Yonhap July 22 (UPI) -- At least 19 people are dead and about nine still missing after torrential rain, flooding and landslides ravaged parts of South Korea, forcing thousands to be evacuated. South Korea's president declared a special disaster to provide government aid. "All government assistance must be mobilized to help residents in the affected areas return to their daily lives as soon as possible," President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday in designating six of the country's nine provinces a special disaster zone. Since Wednesday, massive rain has triggered a series of landslides, with flooding affecting regions in South Korea's south. By Monday, up to 31 inches of rain fell in the south and western provinces. According to South Korea's home ministry, some 14,000 civilians were evacuated, with reports of lost or damaged farms and homes, as well as about 1.5 million livestock lost. Additionally, more than 1 million chickens were lost, as well as produce-growing fields in an area the size of about 40,000 soccer fields. The disaster declaration targets the provinces of Gyeonggi, South Chungcheong, South Jeolla and South Gyeongsang. The flooding has prompted multiple reports of often heroic rescues, with victims trapped in homes or swept away in cars by rushing floodwaters. Roads in Dong-gu, Gwangju, were submerged by Thursday, with the hardest hit in the central south coast county of Sancheong, where 10 fatalities were reported after 12 inches of rain on Sunday forced officials to advise safety precautions to its 33,000 residents. On Sunday, South Korean weather authorities downgraded its heavy rain alert. However, more rain was in Monday's forecast for parts in South Korea's central and northern parts. It came with warnings of a heat wave in the south, where chemicals were sprayed in villages to prevent disease outbreak in the flood's aftermath. Meanwhile, officials from the General Insurance Association of Korea said Tuesday that data showed from Wednesday to Monday at least 3,131 flood-damaged vehicles had been reported to 12 non-life insurance companies in estimated losses to the tune of 29.6 billion won, or more than $21 billion. "The scale of the damage is significant due to the many days of intense, prolonged rain," an insurance industry official told The Korea Times on Tuesday. "Since claims are still being filed, the figures are likely to rise," they added.
