The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has taken a significant step forward in addressing the longstanding sewage crisis affecting the Tijuana River, with a resolution approved on Wednesday that calls on the federal government to take action against Mexico.
The resolution, which emphasizes the need for accountability, passed with a vote of 3-1. However, Supervisor Jim Desmond, the Republican who introduced the measure, ultimately voted against the final version, expressing concerns that it did not go far enough.
“We’re over being afraid of hurting (Mexico’s) feelings,” Desmond said, advocating for a more assertive approach.
Democratic Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer and Monica Montgomery Steppe raised worries that the original version of the resolution was too broad, potentially fostering “anti-Mexico rhetoric.” This illustrates the political divide surrounding the crisis, which has persisted for decades and directly impacts local communities.
The approved resolution does not require county officials to take any immediate actions but makes a statement acknowledging that the ongoing sewage flow is primarily the responsibility of the federal governments of both the United States and Mexico. It also clarifies that local municipalities are unable to address this issue on their own.
Specifically, the resolution urges Congress to pass legislation that holds Mexico accountable for its role in preventing sewage pollution affecting communities in San Diego County’s southwestern region. Among the suggested measures, the resolution includes federal authorization to temporarily divert or restrict the Tijuana River. It also proposes limiting potable water exports to Tijuana and curtailing cross-border activities at U.S. ports in instances of sewage-related emergencies declared by the county.
The relationship between the U.S. and Mexico regarding water management has become increasingly fraught. Earlier this year, the U.S. government, for the first time in nearly fifty years, refused to send Colorado River water to Tijuana due to Mexico’s failure to meet water delivery obligations pertinent to the Rio Grande, crucial for Texas agricultural needs.
Tijuana, which houses approximately 2.3 million residents, heavily relies on water imported from the Colorado River; however, the city is actively exploring alternative water sources. One proposed solution includes building a desalination plant in Playas de Rosarito, expected to produce 50 million gallons of potable water per day.
The resolution also calls for Congress to request a declaration of a state of emergency by both the U.S. president and the governor of California concerning the sewage crisis.
Lawson-Remer and Montgomery Steppe successfully revised the original proposal to remove references urging the federal government to impose economic sanctions, tariffs, or limit cross-border movement in situations where Mexico fails to adhere to treaty obligations aimed at preventing sewage spills. They emphasized that broad language could create unnecessary leeway outside the discussion scope.
In parallel, Desmond’s resolution mirrors a visit earlier this year by the Imperial Beach City Council, which also expressed outrage over the sewage problems in a resolution led by city Republican leaders but met with opposition from Democratic Mayor Paloma Aguirre. Aguirre has put forward an action plan she believes the county must adopt, focusing on eliminating pollution hotspots along the Tijuana River, establishing a position dedicated to managing the sewage crisis, conducting public health studies, and improving air quality in schools and childcare settings.
In a recent press conference, Aguirre reiterated the pressing need for San Diego County to take decisive action rather than relying solely on federal intervention.
“It’s time San Diego County gets off the sidelines,” she said, addressing ongoing hardships faced by South County residents.
The divide in opinions among supervisors and local officials highlights the complexities involved in solving the Tijuana River sewage crisis, underscoring the necessity for collaborative efforts at both local and federal levels to protect public health and the environment.
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