Sewer water leaks to California Beach City from Mexico, where the lives of the residents increase: “closer to being trapped in a mobile toilet”

Shannon Johnson, residing in California, lives a few buildings of the beach empire in turquoise and waves from “ideal small curls” – but Johnson and her young children did not wander in the sand within a year.

“Every time we go to the beach they ask, will it be clean?” Said Johnson, 45, a 45 -year -old, said since 2010.

Heavy metals, toxic chemicals and bacteria have been discovered including E. Coli in water, according to San Diego State University a report It was released last month. The researchers called the “public health crisis” pollution. This has led to more than 700 consecutive days of closing the beach, leaving the residents like Johnson feel that they are confined to the interior without end on the horizon.

Over the past five years, it has ended 100 billion gallons Improiled wastewater flowed across the Tijuana River in Mexico and to the Pacific Ocean in the coastal city beaches, polluting air, water, soil, environmental and public health risks.

In addition to fears related to pollutants, another factor resulting from wastewater causes residents to stay inside: “It is the worst smell. It is in your lungs. It enters your clothes. It is disgusting.”

The elderly from the sewage factories and “is unlikely stinky”

The issue of wastewater is not new – concerns about the pollution of the history of the Tijuana River, at least to 1930 – But the problem has worsened over the years. ((“60 minutes” was reported on the problem In 2020 – see more in the video player above.)

In essence, there are two plants of sewage on both sides of the American border of Mexico: the International Seweed Wire Waterwater Treatment Station in South Bay and the wastewater treatment plant in San Antonio de Los Buenos. The former, which is located in the province of San Diego, was built in the late 1990s to accommodate the flow of wastewater from the growing population in Baja California, Mexico.

“The causes of pathogens and serious chemicals in polluted water are a set of short and long -term health risks, which extend over the issues of the digestive system to neurological disorders,” according to the SDSU report.

The factory is steeped with the population increased to more than 3 million Hurricane Hillary In 2023, which exacerbated the existing issues with the factory infrastructure. On January 11, Mexico celebrated the beginning Rehabilitation efforts At San Antonio de Los Buenos in Tijuana, which launches Millions of Gallon One of the sewage is a day in the Pacific Ocean. Country He agreed to the investment $ 33 million to replace the late factory and also contributed 50 million dollars to the International Sewerage Holding Station in South Bay.

In 2022, $ 300 million of federal funding was appointed to rehabilitate the factory, inspiring optimism between some population. Marvel Harrison, 67, a psychologist who moved to the imperial Beach in 2020 with her retired husband, said they felt comfortable when they learned of funding.

But since then, the factory has risen $ 150 million in reformsProlonging the expansion efforts and pushing California Governor Gavin News To ask Congress For an additional $ 310 million.

For Harrison and her husband, their future in the imperial beach depends on a timely solution. In 2015, the couple started building their home on water, as they invested in expensive features such as Windows for an external internal living space. Now, after nearly a decade has passed, the windows remain closed and think about moving.

“I find myself looking at other places that we may be able to live. This is really frustrating, given that this is the place and how we wanted to be in retirement,” she said, noting that being in the 1960s, “It is not as if we can wait.”

Johnson faced a similar option. Although her husband’s family has roots in the imperial beach that extends to the fifties of the last century, she said that she often looks at other options. “You live here to be outside, and we cannot go outside and feel comfortable and safe,” she said.

In a group of messages from members of the community that Harrison gathered calls on elected officials to take action, one of the residents described the bad smell as “closer to being besieged in a portable toilet” – a strong smell that she wakes up at night.

Possible health effects exceed the bad smell

But the air carries more than just an unpleasant smell. A recent study found evidence of coastal water pollution from the Tijuana River in the sea spray, spraying capable of spreading, which is likely to be far away enough to reach places such as schools and homes that will not touch pollution. The effects of air pollution are not yet known and need more study, according to the SDSU report, which leaves some members of society struggle to obtain answers.

Johnson, who said she suffers from health issues and has two non -interpreted pulmonary blockages, is concerned about whether the environment could be a contributing factor. “In the back of my mind, I am like, does this have to do with the air I breathe?”

Her children, between the ages of 9 and 10, attend the elementary school near the Wadi River, where the smell can be particularly strong. Johnson said: “They are like,” Why is it unpleasant? Is it safe? “I am like, yes, I think so. What is supposed to tell them? “

In some cases, the population’s fears led to lifestyle changes beyond the inability to enjoy the beach.

Harrison, who said her community is in a state of “chronic anxiety”, is thinking twice before inviting the guests to stay in her home out of concern because of the possible health effects. She said that sewage is a continuous topic of conversation within its social departments.

She said: “As far as the bad smell is permeated, the issue permeates tension and anxiety in everyone’s life here.”

Another reminder of the effect of wastewater is its effect on wildlife. It is believed that the growing dolphins, which were increasingly found, were cut off in San Diego, have He died from blood rot Because of the bacteria sometimes in polluted water. According to the SDSU report, dolphins “act as a guard at the risk of potential human exposure to dangerous bacteria.”

Among the most urgent health threats to get out of wastewater, according to the report, there are humanitarian and livestock that have been eliminated in California, and causes of antibiotic -resistant diseases.

“There is a possibility for each of the short -term and long -term health risks associated with exposure, which truly stresses the need to monitor more comprehensive and research,” said Dr. Paula Stigler Grandos, one of the authors of the report at a recent press conference.

The imperial beach is exposed to a wave of complications from wastewater. But for Johnson, the goal is simple: “I just want to see this to be solved so that my children can return to the way you are supposed to be able to enjoy the beach.”