The County of San Diego is escalating its efforts to address the ongoing Tijuana River sewage crisis by reaching out to Washington. The county has engaged a Washington D.C.-based law firm to advocate for federal intervention, aiming to resolve the persistent pollution issues that have plagued South Bay beaches for years.

County officials have entered into a contract valued at up to $637,200 over five years with Best Best & Krieger LLP (BBK). This firm will lobby federal officials to tackle the cross-border pollution problem, as confirmed by county documents examined by the San Diego Union-Tribune.

This agreement highlights growing local frustration as millions of gallons of untreated sewage continue to flow from Mexico into the United States. This pollution has contaminated beaches, triggered numerous health warnings, and affected residents in areas such as Imperial Beach. Under this contract, the law firm will work to persuade members of Congress and federal agencies to secure funding and infrastructure improvements to halt the sewage flow into the river and the Pacific Ocean.

The crisis in the Tijuana River is not just a minor leak but a massive outpouring of waste. Reports indicate that over the past five years, approximately 100 billion gallons of sewage have been released into the river, leading to 1,393 continuous days of beach closures near the border.

“On the worst days, we experience headaches, brain fog, nausea, appetite loss, and difficulty sleeping,” Imperial Beach resident Tom Csandi shared with KPBS.

“There is a strong alignment among local, state, and federal partners in recognizing the need for a long-term solution to the Tijuana River crisis,” said Ana Schwab, a partner and director of government affairs at BBK, in a statement to the San Diego Union-Tribune. “Our role is to ensure this issue remains a federal priority, so it continues to receive the necessary funding and policy support to implement lasting solutions.”