Coronado Leaders Take Action to Combat Pollution Issues

News Summary

Coronado, California is facing critical air and water quality challenges due to pollution from the Tijuana River. Local organizations like Emerald Keepers are raising awareness and conducting testing, while the Coronado City Council considers extending a state of emergency. Recent studies reveal links between sewage and industrial waste affecting community health, prompting calls for improved collaboration among local authorities. Construction of a new sewage treatment plant offers a glimmer of hope, but urgent measures are needed to address the ongoing crisis.

Coronado Leaders Take Action to Combat Pollution Issues

Coronado, California, known for its beautiful beaches and sunny days, is facing a serious challenge as leaders and community members work together to tackle ongoing air and water quality issues, largely stemming from pollution in the Tijuana River. The crisis has raised alarms about the health and safety of residents, without a doubt, pushing local organizations like Emerald Keepers into action.

Community Awareness and Testing Efforts

Emerald Keepers is stepping up efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of polluted air and water in Coronado. Regular water quality tests conducted by the County of San Diego reveal that conditions in Coronado often reflect worse air quality than those in cities just across the bridge, further fueling the concern among residents.

To spread awareness, Emerald Keepers has also installed air quality monitors on homes throughout Coronado. With weekly updates being published on air quality data, the organization hopes to identify patterns and potential causes of the ongoing pollution crisis. This data is crucial in making informed decisions moving forward.

Experts Convene for Special Workshop

A recent workshop held in Imperial Beach aimed at addressing pollution issues featured several experts discussing the serious state of the Tijuana River Valley. Although earlier studies had suggested that the river contained no industrial waste—only household sewage—new samples from Scripps scientists indicated that pollution problems are linked to both sewage and industrial waste. Such findings have raised questions and sparked conversations amongst community members and leaders alike.

Acknowledging Past Shortcomings

As the pollution crisis continues to worsen, Rebeca Boutrous Almaráz, a director of Bi-National Affairs, recognized the lack of action over the past three decades related to riverside pollution, apologizing on behalf of local authorities. This acknowledgment of previous inaction has opened the door for discussions on what can be done now to clean up the river and improve community health.

Progress on Sewage Treatment Plant

In a silver lining, construction on a new sewage treatment plant in San Antonio de los Buenos began back in January 2024, although it has not yet officially opened due to operational delays. Currently, the plant is reported to be 96.3% operational, but still undergoing stabilization processes. In the meantime, excess sewage flow beyond 18 Million Gallons per Day (MGD) will be redirected into the ocean until necessary upgrades to the South Bay plant are completed.

Public Health Concerns Intensify

With untreated sewage flowing into the river, community health concerns are mounting. A recent survey conducted by the Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) involving 480 households revealed alarming statistics. Around 69% of respondents reported that one or more family members experienced health symptoms linked to the ongoing sewage crisis, and 87% expressed concerns regarding sewage impacts on their health and environment.

Calls for Extended Emergency Measures

Due to the persistent pollution crisis, the Coronado City Council is contemplating extending a local state of emergency. Councilmember Amy Steward has emphasized the importance of recognizing the public health, environmental, and economic impacts of this crisis. Residents have faced beach closures and felt economic repercussions as a result of the pollution.

A Unified Approach Needed

Community members and leaders alike are urging for improved collaboration between local municipalities to tackle the sewage crisis effectively. Coronado, which has also seen its beaches closed due to contaminated waters from the Tijuana River, requires assistance from both state and federal authorities to find scalable and sustainable solutions to the ongoing pollution issues.

As Coronado continues to address these pressing challenges, the community remains hopeful for a future with cleaner air and water, emphasizing the importance of unity in overcoming such significant environmental hurdles.

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Additional Resources

• Coronado Times: Water and Air Quality Report (Apr 10-16, 2025)
• Coronado News: Workshop on Pollution Crisis
• Times of San Diego: Attention to Tijuana River Sewage Crisis
• CBS 8: Coronado Declares Emergency on Sewage Crisis
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Water Pollution