3 paloma aguirre - water quality issues and the solutions in the tijuana-san diego border region

Beach Water Quality in Southern California-Northern Baja California Threats, Impacts, Improvements

Global Wave Conference Rosarito, Baja California, MEXICO

May 6, 2013

Threats

High Inmigration Rate Due to Free Trade Agreements like NAFTA

Tijuana is one of the fastest growing cities

in Latin-

America

Unregulated Urban Developments or “Shanty Neighborhoods”

Insufficient Financial Resources

City of San Diego:2 million residentsBudget: 2.7 billion dollars

City of Tijuana:2 million residentsBudget: 391 million dollars

Rural Conditions

Aging Sewage Infrastructure

Sewage Spills

Inadequate Public Notification of Sewage Spills

Insufficiently Treated Sewage Effluent from CoastalTreatment

Plants in the Border Region

San Antonio de Los Buenos Sewage Treatment Plant or“Punta Bandera”

Unseasonal Flow in the Tijuana River

CILA DIVERTER SYSTEM

Impacts

High Level of Ocean-Related Ilnesses Reported

High Levels of Hepatitis A in Coastal Waters Impacted by Tijuana River Pollution

Study published in the Journal of Water and Health Found:

High Viral Count of Entero and Adeno- VirusesHigh concentrations of viruses found in coastal samples collected at:

• Baja Malibu, Baja CA • Punta Bandera, Baja CA• Tijuana River Mouth

Improvements

Local Inter-Agency Working Groups

Multi-million dollar upgrade to IWTP

EPA-Funded Project to Improve Water Quality Monitoring at Playas de Tijuana

Two New Sewage Treatment Plants Arturo Herrera and La Morita

Upgrade to Rosarito Sewage Treatment Plant. 2014?

Upgrade to the San Antonio de los Buenos Treatment Plant (Punta Bandera)

Moving Forward

Improvements Needed

1. Increase the number of sampling sites in the Rosarito–Playas de Tijuana region to improve water quality monitoring for ocean users and beach goers.2. Revise and improve beach closure protocol and public notification.3.Scientific research is needed on the public health impacts to ocean users in the Rosarito-Playas de Tijuana area.

Conclusions

Surfers play a vital stewardship role in beach water quality monitoring and improvements. Education and awareness are key in

pushing forward solutions.

Gracias!

Paloma AguirreBorder Conservation Director

paloma@wildcoast.net