South County Businesses Impacted By Tijuana River Odors May See Some Relief

SAN DIEGO, CA — As officials grapple with reducing toxic odors near Saturn Boulevard in South San Diego County, small businesses impacted by the Tijuana River Valley Pollution saw support from the Members of San Diego's congressional delegation on Monday. The delegation has called on the U.S. Small Business Administration to continue supporting small businesses in the valley affected by pollution, which is harming lives and livelihoods.

"As South San Diego County's beaches continue to be impacted by untreated wastewater, sediment and trash from the Tijuana River, South Bay businesses have suffered economically," the lawmakers wrote in a joint letter. "While we continue to work with our Mexican counterparts to address the causes of the pollution, it's important that we also take steps to support local small businesses impacted by the pollution and the consumers who rely on them."

Among the lawmakers are Reps. Juan Vargas, Scott Peters, Sara Jacobs, all D-San Diego, and Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano. All asked for more information on what steps the SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler has already taken to assist these businesses.

"We are writing to ask that the administration continue to work with us to address this crisis and its impact on South San Diego County communities and businesses."

Loeffler visited the region in February, and Deputy Administrator William Briggs did so in March, reiterating the commitment to support small businesses impacted by the flow of pollution in the river.

"With summer approaching, many beach communities in South San Diego County are anticipating a fifth straight summer of beach closures due to dangerous levels of bacteria found in the water from the Tijuana River," the congressional representatives wrote. "These closures have had a damaging impact on the small businesses that rely on tourism from beachgoers. As South San Diego County's beaches continue to be impacted by untreated wastewater, sediment, and trash from the Tijuana River, South Bay businesses have suffered economically as tourists choose beaches further up the coast.

"While we continue to work with our Mexican counterparts to address the causes of the pollution, it's important that we also take steps to support local small businesses impacted by the pollution and the consumers who rely on them."

San Diego's congressional delegation has secured more than $650 million in federal funding to combat pollution and upgrade the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, but the issue persists.

Additionally, the local delegation has called for a federal state of emergency due to the pollution.

Recently, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that South Bay communities are closer to relief from air pollution at the Saturn Boulevard crossing of the Tijuana River. There, "cascading sewage and industrial waste have blanketed nearby neighborhoods in toxic gases for years."

Members of the public can sign up to receive updates when gas particulates reach 30 parts per billion at public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CASDCAPCD/subscriber/new, where you can also monitor current levels and other pollution data.

Related:

County Supervisors Advance Fix Plans For Tijuana River Pollution Hot Spot

County Notifies South Bay Residents Of Elevated 'Sewer Gas' Levels