In response to the ongoing Tijuana River sewage crisis, the San Diego Board of Supervisors today recommended funding for infrastructure repairs at the Saturn Boulevard hotspot - a known source of toxic airborne emissions - and critical public health studies.

The proposal, authored by Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer and Board Chair Pro Tem Paloma Aguirre, is the result of months of work by the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on the Tijuana River Sewage Crisis and calls for the allocation of $4.75 million from the Unlocked Reserves Framework. This effort is designed to bypass federal and state gridlock, providing direct investments to reduce toxic exposure in the near term while also generating the data necessary to fully understand long-term health impacts and guide future interventions.  

A central component of the proposal is $2.5 million for a temporary infrastructure fix at the Saturn Boulevard hotspot. The project would construct a temporary pipe extension designed to reduce turbulence and limit the aerosolization of hydrogen sulfide and other potentially harmful compounds. 

“The Tijuana River sewage crisis requires both long-term solutions and action now,” said Chair Terra Lawson-Remer. “We’re moving on both tracks at once, advancing permanent fixes while taking immediate steps to reduce the toxic exposure San Diegans face every day.”

“Our communities are tired of being told to wait. Dismissing this pollution is an insult to those living through it,” said Supervisor Paloma Aguirre. “This $2.5 million fix for Saturn Boulevard provides immediate relief while we pursue permanent funding. This isn’t just a sewage issue—it’s a public health emergency, and it’s time we fund it like one.”

Click here to review the board letter: 

 Subcommittee’s Proposal, Which Includes:

·       $2,500,000 for Saturn Boulevard Infrastructure: Capital funding to construct a temporary pipe extension to mitigate toxic airborne emissions at a known sewage "hotspot." 

·       $2,000,000 for a Long-Term Epidemiological Study: A comprehensive, multi-year health study to track and quantify the health outcomes of residents exposed to chronic contamination. 

·       $250,000 for a Retrospective Health Study: An immediate analysis of historical health data to identify existing patterns of illness linked to the river valley. 

·       Strategic Partnerships: Formalizing agreements with the City of San Diego and the U.S. Navy to expedite construction and site access.