State intervenes to tackle South Bay air pollution from Tijuana sewage crisis

IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The state is stepping up efforts to help combat air pollution in the South Bay caused by the Tijuana sewage crisis.

County of San Diego Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas said she has secured support from the California Air Resources Board – or CARB. "The leadership there is going to help us with significant opportunities to help us in terms of additional dollars for air purifiers," stated Vargas.

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She added that the county needs about $2 million to purchase roughly 10,000 filters and air purifiers. They are also asking scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct a survey and determine the long-term impacts of the air and water pollution.

Imperial Beach resident Joe Zenteno said he has noticed the air quality has improved in the last week, which is normally not the case. "It's just a very toxic, gaseous, disturbing smell that goes and it's like wow," stated Zenteno. He also said the ocean water nearby has been more clear.

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Most of the Imperial Beach shoreline remains open after environmental health officials from the county deemed it safe, but that excludes a portion from the Mexico border to South Seaside Drive.

Supervisor Vargas said improvements will happen through collaboration between local, state, and federal partners. Vargas also noted that the International Boundary and Water Commission will officially break ground on Monday on an infrastructure improvement project critical to the rehabilitation, expansion, and permit compliance of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant.