IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. — A special workshop on the binational sewage crisis was held Wednesday in Imperial Beach.
The meeting featured a panel of experts from various government agencies and academic institutions. Dozens of concerned residents gathered at the special council workshop addressing the ongoing sewage crisis. They heard from the International Boundary and Water Commission shed light on cross-border sewage flows.
“We want to open these beaches and we want to address the public health," said Maria-Elena Giner, IBWC Commissioner.
“It’s an existential threat to our city, to our community," said Imperial Beach Mayor, Paloma Aguirre.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography offered valuable insights into the environmental impact of sewage contamination, while SDSU School of Public Health discussed risks associated with chemical and biological pollutants in water, air, and soil.
"We found all the things that you find in raw sewage and we found them in abundance" said SDSU professor, Paula Stigler Granados.
The workshop also included input from the Baja California Governor’s Office, highlighting the importance of binational collaboration in addressing transboundary sewage issues.
Many of those in attendance voiced their concerns about the health ramifications of the sewage crisis.
“Whenever we see increasing rain events there’s increasing contamination in our ocean, increasing sewage in our community and increasing cases of diarrhea," said South Bay Urgent Care Dr. Kimberly Dickson.
“How do we protect lifeguards who are exposed to contaminated water?," asked a lifeguard.
“It’s terribly frustrating. You can’t use the water... people are having all kinds of ill effects. We have kids and grandkids that live here that are suffering from asthma and health problems because of the sewage, no one can open their windows at night, you can’t walk on the beach," said Imperial Beach resident, Kathy Chambers.
Recently, $156 million were allocated by congress to rehabilitate and expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment plant.
The community emphasized the need for swift action, more research, and collaboration to develop comprehensive strategies for managing sewage pollution and safeguarding the health and well-being of people who live in the South Bay.
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