In Southern California, frustration is mounting as a local official and resident confront the severe odor and sewage issues stemming from Tijuana River pollution. They are urging Governor Gavin Newsom to take decisive action.
Paloma Aguirre, a member of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, has publicly requested that the governor declare a state of emergency to address the influx of pollution from the Tijuana River impacting the county’s south bay. She described the situation as the “worst environmental disaster in the United States,” emphasizing that the governor’s lack of response is unacceptable.
In a video shared on Instagram, Aguirre stated, “We are exposed to toxic gases, and action is overdue.” She urged, “Please declare a State of Emergency for the Tijuana River crisis.”
She highlighted the presence of hydrogen sulfide—a toxic gas—polluting local neighborhoods. At levels of 4500 parts per billion (ppb), residents are not merely detecting a rotten egg smell; they are inhaling a gas capable of causing immediate health issues.
Aguirre pointed out the consequences: “Our children wake up with headaches, seniors face breathing difficulties, and families feel confined to their homes.”
She also questioned the governor’s inaction, noting that he has declared 52 other state emergencies. Aguirre contended that the pollution from the Tijuana River elevates hydrogen sulfide levels to 150 times above the state standards considered safe for humans.
A teacher on TikTok Jessica Figueroa said “it feels like hell,” and invited Newsom to experience the hell she said they’re enduring.
“I can literally taste it and I can feel my body being physically ill from this horrific stench.”
“I’m here to speak for all the people that live in the South Bay because we can no longer take the stench,” the educator said. “The Tijuana River crisis has gotten out of hand this week. Every day I woke up with a headache. I went to sleep to smelling that stench.”
“I closed all my windows and I can’t sleep. The stench is horrific”
“It’s affecting our babies, our students, the elderly. I can’t teach. The smell literally lingers into my classroom, and it’s disgusting. I don’t feel comfortable.”
“The students don’t feel comfortable. It’s, it’s just ridiculous. We’re human. We cannot be taking in this air. We are getting polluted daily because of all the toxic gases that are up in the air from the Tijuana River sewage crisis.”
In a second post, Aguirre said the county had declared the problem an “emergency 22 times” and reached out multiple times to the governor asking him to do the same.
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“We can’t keep passing the buck to another country even if they’re the source. Thank you @aerosol88 for sharing your data and fighting alongside us.”
The data provided in the post showed the amount of exposure to the toxic H2S(Hydrogen Sulfide) gas the South Bay has been dealing with over the last few months, with it skyrocketing to 4,500 ppb. The state standard she said is 30ppb.
In 2022, Newsom vetoed a bill that would’ve allocated $50 million to help clean up the Tijuana River, FOX5 San Diego reported at the time.
“That was supposed to stop sewage flows and trash coming across the border,” Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina said. “Unfortunately, Gov. Newsom vetoed that legislation and funding.”
During a recent state of the city address, current Imperial Beach Mayor Mitch McKay said he was looking for help from the feds, CBS8 reported.
“Our community has endured record beach closures, and the consequences are felt by residents, businesses and visitors alike,” McKay said.
The federal government is also aware of the problem, with the EPA recently speaking about the problem and how President Donald Trump’s administration is 100% determined to find a solution.
“The Trump EPA has been working every day at implementing the permanent, urgent 100% solution to the decades old Tijuana River raw sewage emergency,” Zeldin said in a press release.
“The agreement we signed with Mexico last year includes reduced timelines and additional necessary Mexico-side projects at no added US taxpayer cost. As these projects are completed in 2026 and 2027, with one project slated for 2028, Americans will be finally crossing the long-awaited finish line of this crisis and nightmare.”
The Post reached out to the Governor’s office and the EPA for further comment.
