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Dear Neighbors,
The storm that is heading our way has the potential to not only bring hazardous winds, torrential rainfall, and flooding to our region, but also could exacerbate the ongoing sewage crisis impacting our waterways.
Today, I issued a statement that highlights the complexities of this sewage crisis, what we are doing at the state level, and the need for additional support from the U.S. and Mexican governments.
"The forecasted storm heading to Southern California has the potential to take a toll on our San Diego communities, and also could worsen the sewage crisis impacting our waterways due to contaminated wastewater flowing into the Tijuana River and San Antonio de los Buenos Creek, which has been affecting water quality at our local beaches. This complex issue is made even more challenging because of the binational nature of border waterways. While California has invested millions of dollars to address sewage issues that have led to transboundary pollution at our local beaches in recent years, we need help from our federal and Mexican partners. Earlier this month, Governor Newsom, Speaker Rivas, and I called on Congressional leaders to utilize $300 million in federal funding that has already been allocated – that money is needed to complete repairs and deferred maintenance necessary to expand the South Bay International Treatment Plant in San Diego. We also are advocating for additional funding to complete construction of the plant's expansion to reduce the frequency, volume, and pollutant levels of transboundary sewage flows.
We need our federal representatives to help us address this public health and environmental health crisis, and I urge the Biden Administration to work with Baja and Mexico to enact short- and long-term solutions. More needs to be done, and California cannot do it alone. San Diego residents should not have to endure untreated wastewater, sewage, trash, and contaminated sediment in our waterways, and it's a crisis that is primarily being shouldered by our underserved communities. Everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, deserves to be able to live and recreate without risk of bodily harm and contaminated water. I urge everyone to stay safe and please follow public health guidelines at beaches and waterways."
As we prepare for this extreme weather event, please take a look at the following resources to help you and your loved ones stay safe:
Take care,
Toni
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