Small Fix Could Bring Big Relief to Tijuana River Pollution Crisis

Communities in southern San Diego that have long suffered from severe pollution in the Tijuana River may soon see relief if local leaders can secure funding for a key project. The Saturn Boulevard hot spot, a road crossing with outdated culverts, is the primary source of airborne toxins from the river, including hydrogen sulfide gas that causes respiratory problems and other health issues.

While the U.S. and Mexico are pursuing $800 million in upgrades to wastewater facilities, San Diego County officials are working on a smaller, quicker fix to this chokepoint that could improve conditions as early as next year.

The project, estimated to cost $25 million, would re-engineer the culverts to control floodwater flow and reduce the release of toxic aerosols. San Diego County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre, who has led cleanup efforts, said the fix will "mitigate the turbulence in that area, which will mitigate the emissions that basically rocket aerosols into the air." However, funding remains uncertain.

Potential sources include Proposition 4, a $10 billion climate bond approved by voters in 2024, which includes $50 million for border river projects. State Sen.

David Alvarez has introduced legislation to speed up disbursement of those funds. Additionally, state lawmakers have requested $23 million in the state budget for the project, and a proposed half-cent county sales tax on the November ballot could generate $360 million annually, with $80 million earmarked for Tijuana River improvements.

In the meantime, a temporary $2.5 million solution is expected to be in place by March 2027. This fix will extend existing pipes and transfer water downstream through an enclosed system, reducing the churn that aerosolizes pollutants.

Aguirre cautioned that while the project won't clean the entire river, it will reduce its impact on neighboring communities. "That's not the permanent solution to the entire crisis," she said.

"This is something that's within our power to tackle... that we know based on empirical evidence will bring some relief to residents of affected areas."