SAN DIEGO — The San Diego City Council voted 7-0 in favor of adding its voice to the chorus of cries urging the federal government to step in and act quickly to address the cross-border sewage crisis.
"We as a city have to take a stand against this pollution. It is in my district, it is a sovereign country in Mexico, and the federal government usually handles those situations. But in this case we have to act as a city council and let the federal government know they're not doing their job down there," said Councilmember Vivian Moreno.
She wants the federal government to declare a national emergency and to spend the money it's going to take to expand the wastewater treatment plant and maintain it.
However, the more pressing issue is the public health aspect, according to Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre.
For months, doctors have said people are getting sick from the smell. Scientists have raised red flags about the air quality in parts of the South Bay. In August, the Centers for Disease Control agreed to do a study on the health effects, but that study won't be finished for anywhere from 6-12 months.
Mayor Aguirre said in the meantime, they need air specialized air filters for households, they need more air sensors to be installed. She estimates that carries a price tag of anywhere from $5 million to $10 million dollars.
"At the end of the day this is a drop in the bucket compared to the trillions of dollars in the budget for our nation," said Mayor Aguirre. "It's a drop in the bucket compared to some of the other types of aid that goes outside of our country to help others. I'm not criticizing that, it's just we need to take care of our citizens here first and foremost."
"When there's political will anything and everything can happen," she added. "There's an executive order [President Biden} could issue that could expedite this."
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