Task force looking at Imperial Beach’s sewage crisis, health impacts
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Imperial Beach has a new task force for the sewage crisis in the ocean. Members of the task force include researchers from San Diego State University and Scripps Institution for Oceanography, along with physicians in South Bay.
Experts said they are testing pollutants in the air, finding it is the same bacteria and harmful gas that are produced in sewage. Experts on the task force also said that when it floods and sewage spills into the streets, that can be tracked into homes.
Experts said the biggest concern is the long-term effects, which is why the task force is needed to continue to pressure elected officials.
Otay Mesa battery facility fire could take weeks to put out entirely
“Everyday is another patient getting sick and we don’t want that anymore,” said Dr. Matthew Dickson, the owner of South Bay Urgent Care.
Dickson said he has seen a 140% increase in people needing breathing treatments compared to this time last year.
“We see newborns, it’s up to people over 100, so it’s a big difference. People are coming in, they are coughing, eyes are running, eyes are watering, and they’re wheezing, a lot,” Dickson explained.
Dickson is a member of the task force that will look into how the sewage in the ocean impacts South Bay residents’ health.
The beach in Imperial Beach has been closed for more than two years because of millions of gallons of sewage spilled in from Tijuana, mainly from the aging waste water treatment plant in Punta Banderas.
The task force is looking to make a connection between the dangers of not even stepping into water, but instead when the waves break and the pollutants become aerosolized.
“It gets in the air and you can ingest that, inhale that and it can cause illness,” Dickson said.
“We shouldn’t be afraid of exisiting, of recreating in our ocean,” said Paloma Aguirre, Imperial Beach Mayor.
Aguirre continues to push for Governor Gavin Newsom and President Joe Biden to declare a state of emergency for the area.
Aguirre said the federal agency told her they need the state or county to make the request for them to intervene. That is when Aguirre spearheaded the sewage crisis task force.
“We have some of the leading researchers from SDSU and Scripps Institution of Oceanography,” Aguirre said. “Why not bring everyone together to make the case for intervention?”
The Imperial Beach mayor said Baja California, Mexico has made progress. In a 2022 agreement, Mexico committed money to repairing and upgrading the Punta Banderas waste treatment plant. The plant is currently under construction.
“That’s the results of years and years of our advocacy. Hypothetically, if all goes well, could see our beaches re-open by next summer,” Aguirre said.
“Our residents are incredibly impacted; their health, their economy, their environment, their quality of life,” Aguirre continued.
“Long-term effects are very concerning. We need to stop this problem. It’s a simple solution; treat the water and stop it from coming into our ocean,” Dickson said.
Aguirre said the task force will meet and research for a year, while working with the county. The task force is set to send out survey’s to South Bay residents, including those who live in Nestor, San Ysidro and Chula Vista, on how they have been feeling over the years. The task force will then have a final report.
Aguirre said she plans to travel to Mexico this summer to make sure the county is meeting their commitment to fixing their treatment plant.
Additionally, she plans to send another letter, signed by all the county mayors, asking for Governor Newsom and President Biden to declare a state of emergency.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
