- Surfrider Foundation is an environmental organization that focuses on oceans and has recently published its annual Clean Water Report.
- Imperial Beach, located near San Diego, was found to have the highest bacteria levels in California.
- The problem is largely due to an overflowing sewage treatment plant in Mexico.
CaliforniaThe long coastline of’s is known for its dramatic and beautiful beaches. But one of them, a bacteria hot spot—and a threat to public health.
Surfrider Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works to protect the environment. It recently published its annual Clean Water Report. The Surfrider Foundation collected water samples from 604 sites in the United States for its annual report. After analyzing all the samples, it found that Imperial Beach in San Diego County, California, was the dirtiest beach in the state—and one of the most contaminated in the U.S.—with a bacteria rate of 82 percent.
The city is aware of the problem, and the high bacteria count is due in large part to a sewage overflow from the Tijuana river. The beach has been closed.
The City of Imperial Beach stated that “the failures of Tijuana’s sewage treatment and conveyance network, as well as its pump station network, have been responsible for decades of transboundary flows of sewage flowing through the Tijuana river, which have become significantly worse since 2017”. February statement on its website. “The beach has been closed due to exceptionally high sewage flows on the Tijuana river.”
Imperial Beach actively tries to tackle the issue. But the problem extends beyond the border in Mexico. And despite their best efforts, the high pollution levels and unpleasant smells continue on the beaches.
Imperial Beach stated in a statement released in February that it is actively advocating at all levels of government. It has made requests for immediate funding and petitions from the California Governor to the United States President, as well as petitions requesting declarations of emergencies. “Unfortunately all requests for an emergency declaration have been denied.”
Imperial Beach could access funding for infrastructure projects and emergency funding if it declares an emergency. This would help to reduce pollution entering the US from Mexico. San Diego area. The city encourages residents to file official complaints about the odor and air quality problems—the formal reports serve as an official record of the scope of the problem at Imperial Beach.
SurfRider said that “everyone should be able to have a great time at the beach, without having to worry about getting sick due to exposure to pollution.” Clean Water Report.
Some other hotspots on the list include Windmill Beach in Sag Harbor in New York, Ballard Park in Melbourne in Florida, and Kahaluu in Oahu Hawaii. Surfrider Foundation uses the data they have collected to advocate for clean water at local, state and federal levels.
