While we spent some time earlier this month celebrating our nation’s birth, many were blissfully unaware of a deadly issue putting the health and dignity of many US citizens in danger. While immigration tends to be the loudest topic of conversation around the US-Mexico border, another issue is threatening the lives of those living on both sides of the border — namely, over 100 billion gallons of untreated sewage. This toxic sludge has traveled through the Tijuana River over the last five years and has made its way all the way up to San Diego, bringing with it a sense of despair, not to mention disease.
The U.S.-Mexico border region faces a public health crisis as billions of gallons of contaminated sewage flow from Mexico into the San Diego area, according to a newly released report. https://t.co/PIMOoaCrsg
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) February 21, 2024
The Sewage Nightmare
The sheer scale of this environmental catastrophe is mind-boggling. Over five years, the Tijuana River has spewed forth an unprecedented amount of untreated sewage, containing harmful bacteria, viruses, and toxic chemicals that pose severe health risks to both coastal and inland residents. Unrelenting beach closures in San Diego County serve as a stark reminder of the hazardous pollution plaguing our shores. The strong presence of toxic chemicals like arsenic and heavy metals in soil samples underscores the urgent need for remedial action. This is not just an environmental crisis; it’s a ticking time bomb for public health.
Public Health Crisis
The term “public health crisis” globally resonates as a clarion call for collective action. In this case, local officials and experts are sounding the alarm, begging for urgent interventions to stem the tide of disease and death emanating from this sewage overload. Weather events like heavy rain and flooding exacerbate the sewage overflow, spreading toxic chemicals and bacteria far beyond the initial point of contamination. It’s a domino effect, where each stormy day brings new peril to the doorstep of our citizens.
“Clean water is a universal need and a shared value. But pollution in the Tijuana River is making people sick. No families should have to worry about getting sick from polluted water, and no children should grow up on polluted beaches. It is long past time for action.”
Federal Funding and International Cooperation
The solution to this nightmare lies in substantial federal funding to address the glaring infrastructure needs. The International Boundary and Water Commission is working on a comprehensive project to enhance wastewater treatment, but the scope of the problem demands more. Mayor Paloma Aguirre of Imperial Beach and other local leaders are aggressively advocating for increased federal support. The time for partisan posturing is over; now is the time for bipartisan unity to rescue our communities.
Poisoning Beyond the Coast
It’s often said that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. In this case, the toxic substances seeping from sewage have infiltrated our very air and soil, affecting residents beyond coastal areas. This public health crisis knows no bounds. When we speak of the Tijuana River sewage crisis, we’re not just talking about the sins of our neighbor; we’re talking about the shared responsibility to protect human life, no matter the zip code.
Time for Accountability
Neglect and inadequate wastewater infrastructure have conspired against us, spawning environmental degradation and public health issues that writhe like an open sore. Community efforts and recent progress, though valiant, have faced significant obstacles. As President Biden and Congress ponder the fate of our nation, they must weigh the moral imperative of investing in infrastructure to clean up the river.
The Comprehensive Infrastructure Solution
The way forward lies in embracing the Comprehensive Infrastructure Solution, but it remains underfunded and overlooked. This cannot be a partisan issue; it’s a call to the very fabric of our shared humanity. As lawmakers debate the future of our nation, we must remind them that human life, American dignity, and public health are worth fighting for. It’s time to adopt a collective will to restore the Tijuana River and ensure that its toxic tides no longer threaten our citizenship.
A Plea for Help
Towns on both sides of the border are begging for assistance. This is a dire situation, and patriotic citizens need to listen. We need to recognize this particular US-Mexico border crisis for what it is – a humanitarian issue that no one can afford to dismiss.
What do you think of this disgusting situation and the length of time it’s been going on. We’d love to hear your thoughts. Just send us an email!
More from Around the Web:
Toxic Tide: Sewer Crisis at the Border
Cross Border Contamination
