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Beach Water Quality in Southern California-Northern Baja California Threats, Impacts, Improvements
Global Wave Conference Rosarito, Baja California, MEXICO
May 6, 2013
Threats
High Inmigration Rate Due to Free Trade Agreements like NAFTA
Tijuana is one of the fastest growing cities
in Latin-
America
Unregulated Urban Developments or “Shanty Neighborhoods”
Insufficient Financial Resources
City of San Diego:2 million residentsBudget: 2.7 billion dollars
City of Tijuana:2 million residentsBudget: 391 million dollars
Rural Conditions
Aging Sewage Infrastructure
Sewage Spills
Inadequate Public Notification of Sewage Spills
Insufficiently Treated Sewage Effluent from CoastalTreatment
Plants in the Border Region
San Antonio de Los Buenos Sewage Treatment Plant or“Punta Bandera”
Unseasonal Flow in the Tijuana River
CILA DIVERTER SYSTEM
Impacts
High Level of Ocean-Related Ilnesses Reported
High Levels of Hepatitis A in Coastal Waters Impacted by Tijuana River Pollution
Study published in the Journal of Water and Health Found:
High Viral Count of Entero and Adeno- VirusesHigh concentrations of viruses found in coastal samples collected at:
• Baja Malibu, Baja CA • Punta Bandera, Baja CA• Tijuana River Mouth
Improvements
Local Inter-Agency Working Groups
Multi-million dollar upgrade to IWTP
EPA-Funded Project to Improve Water Quality Monitoring at Playas de Tijuana
Two New Sewage Treatment Plants Arturo Herrera and La Morita
Upgrade to Rosarito Sewage Treatment Plant. 2014?
Upgrade to the San Antonio de los Buenos Treatment Plant (Punta Bandera)
Moving Forward
Improvements Needed
1. Increase the number of sampling sites in the Rosarito–Playas de Tijuana region to improve water quality monitoring for ocean users and beach goers.2. Revise and improve beach closure protocol and public notification.3.Scientific research is needed on the public health impacts to ocean users in the Rosarito-Playas de Tijuana area.
Conclusions
Surfers play a vital stewardship role in beach water quality monitoring and improvements. Education and awareness are key in
pushing forward solutions.
