News Summary

Coronado residents are facing an ongoing sewage crisis, prompting the Coronado Unified School District to take legal action against the South Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant. With beach closures and health concerns affecting the community, local leaders advocate for federal intervention through a superfund designation. Over 500 residents support the push for change, raising alarms about health risks particularly affecting students and vulnerable populations. The push aims to address decades of environmental neglect and secure funding for necessary clean-up efforts.

Coronado Residents Face Sewage Crisis as School District Takes Action

In beautiful Coronado, a storm seems to be brewing—not of the weather variety but from an ongoing sewage crisis that’s raising alarms in the community. This issue has prompted the Coronado Unified School District to take legal action against the operator of the South Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant. The discomfort from this situation is hitting close to home, with not just the school district but also local residents feeling the repercussions of this environmental challenge.

Beach Closures and Health Concerns

The South Bay region has been particularly hard-hit, and these problems have extended their reach to Coronado City. Local beaches are closing, making it difficult for families to enjoy the shoreline, and raising concerns among residents about public health and well-being. In a report that has many worried, there are even issues concerning Navy SEAL candidates getting exposed to contaminated water while training. This is not just a matter of inconvenience; it could pose significant health risks.

As it turns out, the sewage crisis isn’t just a headline; it’s impacting the daily lives of students and staff at Coronado Unified. Parents and teachers alike are noticing more students than ever popping into the nurse’s office, many being sent home due to illness. This alarming trend has led the school district to push back against the crisis by seeking damages to cover medical treatment costs and necessary medical monitoring for those affected.

Shifting Blame: Who’s Responsible?

In response to the lawsuit, the treatment plant operator, Veolia, argues that attention should be directed at the real source of the sewage issues—the untreated sewage flowing across the border from Tijuana. Veolia is currently treating a staggering amount of sewage, up to 25 million gallons daily, and claims that repairs are ongoing to double that capability, showing their commitment to resolving the issue.

However, some local leaders and residents believe that the current infrastructure on both sides of the border is not moving quickly enough to protect the South Bay. They feel that while Veolia is a part of the solution, the problems at the plant must not overshadow the larger crisis at hand.

Petitioning for Change

Seeking to amplify their voices, San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer is rallying local officials and residents to petition the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the ongoing sewage crisis. Lawson-Remer is leading efforts to have parts of the Tijuana River Valley designated as a “superfund site”. This could potentially open the floodgates for federal funding to help clean up hazardous waste sites, something the area desperately needs.

The push for superfund status isn’t just bureaucratic red tape; it’s based on the belief that a six-mile stretch of the lower Tijuana River Valley has encountered decades of exposure to toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and pesticides, posing serious health risks to the surrounding communities.

A Local Call to Action

With more than 500 residents already signing the petition for superfund site designation, it’s clear that the community is united in its desire for change. Local leaders have cited similar areas in other states that have received the superfund label due to sewage issues. If this petition succeeds, an inspection from the EPA will follow, demanding a clean-up plan and accountability from the responsible parties.

As the crisis continues, residents like Morri Chowaiki express urgent concerns about the health effects of sewage fumes, particularly for vulnerable groups like children, underscoring that this crisis touches everyone— students, teachers, and families alike. The road ahead may be long, but through concerted efforts, it seems like change could be on the horizon. The community remains hopeful that with collective action, a cleaner and healthier environment is within reach.

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