By Gina Yarbrough
San Diego, CA–Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) traveled to Imperial Beach on Thursday to witness the ongoing sewage crisis in the Tijuana River Valley, which has severely impacted South Bay communities, local beaches, and public health.
Booker’s visit comes on the heels of a disturbing study from the University of California San Diego, which revealed that pollutants in wastewater can become airborne through coastal aerosols. The research identified airborne traces of illicit drugs, their metabolites, as well as chemicals from tires and personal care products — all originating from contaminated wastewater.
During his visit, Senator Booker joined Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre for a tour of the river valley. As they surveyed the polluted waters, Mayor Aguirre highlighted the persistent odor of raw sewage and the dangers it poses to residents.
“We’re deeply concerned about the health effects — especially the long-term impacts on our community,” said Aguirre. “We’re once again urging the president to declare a state of emergency to speed up critical solutions to this crisis.”
The sewage contamination has led to repeated beach closures in the South Bay, and many residents have reported respiratory problems and other health issues due to the persistent stench.
Senator Booker didn’t mince words when addressing reporters. “We are standing in the middle of one of America’s greatest environmental disasters,” he said. “This is not just an environmental issue — it’s a direct threat to the health and dignity of thousands of people.”
U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (D-CA-52) also joined the tour and thanked Booker for bringing national attention to the cross-border pollution issue. Booker announced plans to press the U.S. State Department to declare a national emergency in order to accelerate efforts to resolve the sewage crisis.
