South Bay residents urged to take precautions as sewage odors increase
Video: Dan Plante reports on possible sanctions for Tijuana sewage crisis
CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The odors from the raw sewage spilling across the border into South Bay neighborhoods has increased after the recent large spill, and San Diego County officials are offering health guidance to residents in the area.
After sewage infrastructure work in Mexico resulted in the recent release of up to 5 million gallons per night of sewage into the Tijuana River Valley, the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District is alerting residents they detected an uptick Monday night of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) readings in the Nestor neighborhood just north of the Tijuana River Valley, which is creating increased odor issues in South Bay neighborhoods.
CDC health survey shows impacts of Tijuana sewage crisis on South Bay residents
Residents near the Tijuana River Valley have been dealing with the impacts from the cross-border pollution for years, and the recent sewage spill and uptick in odors is just the latest to plague the region.
EPA Chief Lee Zeldin to visit US-Mexico border, examine Tijuana sewage crisis
SDAPCD is alerting residents they recorded Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) levels that exceeded levels established by the California Office of Health Hazard Assessment, and is issuing an alert for communities potentially affected by the odors from the Tijuana River Valley.
The Air Pollution Control District is advising some people may experience odor-related symptoms like headaches and nausea.
If the odors continue, SDAPCD says South Bay residents near the Tijuana River Valley can take the following precautions to reduce exposure:
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 (or a central/portable heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system) and/or indoor air purifiers. Filters (high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, for example) with activated charcoal (plus potassium permanganate, if available) are recommended.
Businesses are recommended to run the HVAC system for 1-2 hours before business hours
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) new AIRE Program.
Free air purifiers available for South Bay residents: Here's how to apply
Residents in the South Bay can report odors through the SDAPCD Air Quality Complaints app or by calling 858-586-2650 or e-mail apcdcomp@sdapcd.org.
The County of San Diego on Monday said it continues to urge federal officials to work with their counterparts in Mexico to stop the flow of raw sewage and bring an ultimate resolution to the longtime source of water and air pollution.San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond on Tuesday morning called on the Federal Government to take immediate action against Mexico's continued dumping of raw sewage into the United States by imposing strict consequences tied to public health threats.
'For too long, Mexico has been allowed to get away with releasing hundreds of millions of gallons of raw sewage into the United States—poisoning our beaches, sickening our residents, and even forcing Navy SEALs to relocate training operations,' said Desmond. 'That should end now.'
Navy SEALs face health risks from toxic sewage exposure, report finds
Desmond called for the Federal Government to restrict the export of potable water into the City of Tijuana, Mexico during any health-related threats declared by the County of San Diego's Department of Environmental Health (DEH). Desmond is also urging federal authorities to consider limiting cross-border travel through U.S. ports of entry during those declared threats.'It's clear that Mexico will not act unless real pressure is applied. This is a national security issue and a public health crisis. Residents are getting sick. Their pets are getting sick. And our elite military forces are being put at risk. It's unacceptable—and it's time to hold Mexico accountable.'
EPA Chief Lee Zeldin in early April expressed intentions to visit the U.S.-Mexico border in the coming weeks to see first-hand the impacts from the sewage crisis after years of repeated calls for action from the federal government.
More information on the response to the ongoing flows of wastewater into the Tijuana River Valley is available from the APCD, IBWC and San Diego County.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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