On October 3, 2024, San Diego County is initiating a health assessment in response to ongoing sewage pollution from the Tijuana River Valley, which poses significant health risks to local residents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will conduct the Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER), distributing flyers to over 6,000 homes in the South Bay area.
The assessment aims to gather data on the health impacts of toxic air pollution linked to sewage overflow. Local health officials have been monitoring gastrointestinal illnesses since September 2023, although they report no significant increases in cases thus far. Despite these reassurances, the county remains under a state of emergency declared in May 2024 due to the crisis.
This pollution issue stems from long-standing infrastructure problems at sewage treatment plants in Mexico, leading to increased sewage flows that overwhelm U.S. treatment facilities. Local leaders are advocating for state and federal resources to address this ongoing binational issue.
Source: nbcsandiego.com