Tijuana Sewage Exposes Thousands In US To Toxic Air
Photo of the Tijuana River (Photo by Francisco Vega/Getty Images)
Thousands of people in California are becoming ill due to exposure to raw sewage that forms foam in the Tijuana River before it flows into the Pacific Ocean, according to reporting from The Associated Press.
Southern California resident Steve Egger, 72, described the conditions as “awful,” saying the sewage-related foam releases toxic fumes that spread through the air. He said that most nights his area is filled with a strong, foul odor. Egger and his wife have installed a hospital-grade air filtration system that refreshes indoor air every 15 minutes, but he said they still suffer from frequent headaches, congestion upon waking, and coughing.
Doctors have advised Egger to relocate, but he said he is not willing to leave. He emphasized that the region has been his lifelong home, where his family, parents, and grandparents also lived.
Recent data cited by The Associated Press indicates that approximately 10 billion gallons of raw sewage and industrial waste have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border through the Tijuana River since January 2026. Since 2018, more than 100 billion gallons of untreated sewage, industrial chemicals, and trash have reportedly entered the river system.
The South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, operated by the International Water and Boundary Commission, was built in the early 1990s to manage sewage flowing from Tijuana into the United States. It was designed under agreements intended to capture and treat wastewater before it reaches coastal waters, in compliance with Clean Water Act permit requirements overseen by California regulators.
Officials and environmental groups say the ongoing crisis has been worsened by heavy rainfall, infrastructure strain, and insufficient maintenance. Another contributing factor is the San Antonio de los Buenos treatment facility in Mexico, which is intended to treat wastewater before discharge into the ocean but has also faced maintenance and operational issues.
Health experts warn that exposure to raw sewage can lead to gastrointestinal illness and respiratory problems. A 2024 study from San Diego State University found that children, pregnant women, and older adults are especially vulnerable to its effects.
Dr. Kimberly Dickson, a California physician, said patients with asthma often require increased use of inhalers when sewage odors are strong. She noted that many patients report feeling better when the smell is not present. Her husband, Dr. Matthew Dickson, said the situation continues to worsen over time and that more people are becoming sick each day the problem remains unresolved.
A proposed bill from California State Senator Steve Padilla would require state health standards to account for risks linked to hydrogen sulfide gas produced by sewage exposure. Even if approved, the updated standards would not likely take effect until 2030.
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