Cross-Border Sewage

I first became involved with the cross-border sewage issue in 2003 when my daughter, then five, participated in her first Clean Water Now surfing competition at Stan’s Beach. In a video from that day, she said, “I want clean water now so I can surf and not get sick.” Unfortunately, my family has been sickened multiple times by contaminated water. In 2017, my CMS broadcast students and I created a documentary highlighting this ongoing issue. https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/588438110/417721b1ae

Cross-border sewage is a clear, immediate threat to our environment, public health, economy, and national security. Unregulated population growth and industrial expansion in Tijuana, coupled with government neglect on both sides of the border, have significantly increased beach closures in Coronado and devastated Imperial Beach. Proactive Coronado leadership is overdue. As a Councilmember, I will elevate to a new level what I have been advocating for over two decades — collaborate with local and state governments; major businesses [e.g., hotel chains, U.S. cross-border corporations, and national realty organizations]; and non-profits to synergize the power of all and incentivize congressional action. This effort should focus on three primary goals: securing $1 billion+ to resolve existing issues with the US IBWC sewage treatment plant; ensuring long term sustainable operations; and maintaining pressure on the Mexican government to properly treat sewage and prevent industrial discharge into the Tijuana River. Seeking SuperFund designation for the Tijuana River Valley is also key to immediate assessment and access to the incoming $52 billion for this purpose. Absent of these action, Congress will continue to “kick the can down the road” and Mexico will continue failing to regulate the increasingly dangerous effluent being discharged into the river and ocean.