Sewage stench: Beachgoers face foul smell as wastewater pollutes popular California coast
The Tijuana River Valley, which lies between the City of Tijuana in Mexico and San Diego, has been affected by untreated wastewater, which is beginning to affect businesses such as the upscale resort city of Coronado, California.
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SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Thousands of residents in San Diego are dealing with an awful stench emanating from the Tijuana River, posing health risks and the potential closure of Southern California’s best-known beaches.
The Tijuana River Valley, which lies between the City of Tijuana, Mexico, and San Diego, has been affected by untreated wastewater, which is beginning to affect businesses such as the upscale resort city of Coronado, California.
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The Hotel del Coronado, an iconic and astonishing venue with a long and rich history dating back to 1888, has long suffered from the foul stench.
The upscale resort has fallen victim to pollution due to millions of gallons of wastewater infiltrating the water along the beach every day.
CORONADO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 18: General view of the atmosphere during the Hotel Del Coronado Grand Opening Event on June 18, 2025 in Coronado, California.
( Daniel Knighton / Getty Images)
"Untreated wastewater flows, contaminated sediment loads, and trash influxes plague the Tijuana River watershed, adversely impacting the affected environment, surrounding communities, and overall public health and safety of the region," a statement from the California State Lands Commission reads.
This occurs because transboundary flows from Mexico into the U.S. regularly occur due to inadequate water infrastructure that becomes overwhelmed by wastewater, debris, and heavy rainfall.
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Untreated wastewater and sewage overflows impede public access to the coast, forcing beaches to close for prolonged periods due to fecal contamination and poor air and water quality.
San Diego CA - December 22: A water contamination sign warns beach goers about high bacteria in the water in Imperial Beach on Thursday, December 22, 2022.
(K.C. Alfred/ The San Diego Union-Tribune / Getty Images)
In fact, the iconic Hotel del Coronado closed down for 129 days in 2025 due to this ongoing issue.
Recently, a member of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Paloma Aguirre, has made numerous attempts to seek help from state government officials to declare a State of Emergency.
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"We aren’t just smelling a rotten egg odor; we are breathing in a gas that causes immediate sickness," Aguirre said.
Imperial Beach, CA - September 10: On Saturday posted warning signs at Imperial Beach from County of San Diego Environmental Health and Quality warn the public of the possibility of sewage in the beach water.
(Nelvin C. Cepeda/The San Diego Union-Tribune / Getty Images)
"Our air is toxic. Our beaches are hazardous to our health. Our families feel trapped indoors," Aguirre said.
According to officials, wastewater from the city of Tijuana is supposed to be diverted before entering the Tijuana River Valley in California, then discharged five miles out into the ocean.
Thousands of people continue to suffer from poor air quality caused by Aerosolization and stenching pollutants carried through the water flows.
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As summer approaches, the issue could cause serious health and financial problems for thousands of Americans in the region.
People are calling on local, state and federal officials to take the necessary actions to solve the problem in the long term.
A sign reads "Stop The Stink" near the Tijuana River Valley area by Border Field State Park along the US-Mexico border between San Diego and Tijuana in San Diego County, California, on April 23, 2025. In recent years, the US-Mexico border sewage pollution problem has closed beaches and raised concerns over public health issues.
(Patrick T. Fallon / AFP / Getty Images)
A plethora of agencies are involved in efforts to resolve and improve the many issues affecting water quality, air quality, infrastructure and public health, so Californians can safely enjoy the outdoors.
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President Trump has called upon Mexico to address the flow of untreated wastewater entering the U.S., posing a serious health risk to thousands of people.