Water tainted with millions of gallons of sewage from Mexico continues to affect some of Southern California’s busiest beaches, leading to ongoing closures and health fears for local communities.
In Coronado, officials are raising alarms, urging people to avoid the ocean as hazardous runoff infiltrates the shoreline.
Signs have been posted along the beaches, warning visitors that exposure could result in illness.
The primary source of this pollution is the Tijuana River, which transports untreated wastewater from Mexico into U.S. waters, and ocean currents carry this contamination along Southern California’s coast.
Reports indicate that up to 30 million gallons of sewage-laden water could flow into the Pacific Ocean each day from Tijuana.
This pollution has also impacted some key waterfront areas, including waters adjacent to the historic Hotel del Coronado.
Health professionals warn that coming into contact with contaminated water may lead to gastrointestinal illnesses. Moreover, airborne toxins from sewage can trigger headaches, respiratory issues, and other health complications.
Hydrogen sulfide, a gas found in sewage, can cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory system and may result in more severe effects at higher concentrations, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Doctors and local activists report that children in the affected regions are particularly vulnerable, with many experiencing worsened asthma, skin rashes, and other pollution-related health problems.
This crisis is not only harming tourism; it’s also disrupting military operations, with local leaders indicating that contaminated water is affecting Navy SEAL training at the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado.
Former President Trump has urged Mexico to tackle the issue of untreated sewage flowing into the U.S., calling it a threat to neighboring communities.
In February, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator provided an update on the previous administration’s efforts to resolve the Tijuana River sewage crisis for good.
“The Trump EPA is working daily to implement a permanent, emergency solution to this long-standing issue,” he stated.
He added that an agreement signed with Mexico last year included a revised timeline and additional necessary projects, emphasizing that these would be completed by 2026 and 2027, with one even scheduled for 2028.
In July 2025, the U.S. and Mexico signed an agreement detailing steps and a timeline to rectify the Tijuana River’s longstanding troubles.
Mexican Environment Secretary Alicia Bárcena expressed a strong commitment to enhance cooperation after a meeting in Mexico City with U.S. officials.
As per the agreement, Mexico is expected to allocate $93 million for infrastructure upgrades, alongside a specific timetable for priority projects through 2027.
Since 2020, over $653 million has been earmarked to tackle this issue, though the crisis lingers, largely due to delays from the Mexican government, according to Zeldin.
The agreement reportedly takes into account “population growth, operational and maintenance costs, and other factors to ensure a lasting solution.”
