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San Diego supervisor urges fast removal of Saturn Boulevard culvert to curb toxic gases from Tijuana River
Summary
San Diego County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre asked the State Water Resources Control Board to expedite use of Prop 4 border-region funds to remove a culvert at Saturn Boulevard, which she said increases turbulence and releases hydrogen sulfide and other pollutants into neighborhoods near schools and day cares.
Paloma Aguirre, chair pro tem of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, told the State Water Resources Control Board on Sept. 16 that a manmade culvert under Saturn Boulevard is magnifying pollution from the transboundary Tijuana River and releasing toxic gases within about a half mile of local schools and day-care centers. She urged the board to expedite use of previously appropriated state bond funds for an infrastructure fix.
Aguirre said the Tijuana River watershed is shared by the United States and Mexico and that river flows carrying residential and industrial wastewater have affected coastal and inland communities. “Over a 100,000,000,000 gallons of wastewater have come across our border since 2018,” she told the board, describing foam visible from satellite imagery, chronic beach closures and health complaints in South San Diego.
The request targets a storm-control structure where four large pipes drop the river several feet beneath Saturn Boulevard. Aguirre said the drop increases turbulence and aerosols that can carry hydrogen sulfide and other contaminants into nearby neighborhoods. She described peer-reviewed sampling conducted by UC Riverside, UT Austin, San Diego State University and UC San Diego and cited results her presentation characterized as showing “peaks of 4,000 plus, per minute of hydrogen sulfide” during overnight hours and many days with prolonged exposures. The Centers for Disease Control also conducted community health and chemical exposure surveys, she said, and local studies report residents experiencing chronic headaches, respiratory symptoms and gastrointestinal illness.
Aguirre proposed what she called a “low-hanging fruit” infrastructure change at the Saturn Boulevard hot spot and estimated the work could cost between $20 million and $50 million. She asked the board to consider expediting an allocation of Proposition 4 border-region funds to pay for the work and to prioritize that site because removal of the culvert could begin to reduce emissions immediately.
State board Chair Joaquin Esquivel acknowledged Aguirre’s presentation and said the board is working to determine how to spend recently appropriated bond dollars. “I think I, I think, a full $46,000,000 was appropriated, if you will, to the board from the bond,” Esquivel said, and added the board would need to determine whether emergency regulatory steps under the Administrative Procedure Act are required. He said regional staff have been coordinating with local leaders and that the board would follow up on plans for expending the funds.
Discussion points: Aguirre emphasized proximity to schools and day cares, chronic health complaints among tens of thousands of residents, satellite-visible foam in the estuary and the distinction that existing wastewater treatment plants do not treat river flow. Board staff said they are reviewing legislative direction and funding availability and will follow up with local leaders.
No formal board vote or funding allocation occurred during the meeting. Esquivel said staff would discuss internal options and follow up with Supervisor Aguirre on timelines and the path to expend bond funds.
Ending: Aguirre closed by reiterating the human-health stakes for children, elderly and immunocompromised residents and thanked the board for its attention. The board said it would continue internal deliberations and follow up with local officials about next steps for funding and any necessary regulatory actions.
