Home US Residents on this California shoreline feel like they are ‘trapped in a portable toilet’ as beach remains closed for more than 700 days straight due to raw sewage floating in from Mexico

Residents on this California shoreline feel like they are ‘trapped in a portable toilet’ as beach remains closed for more than 700 days straight due to raw sewage floating in from Mexico

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Residents of Imperial Beach, a small town located 20 minutes' drive from San Diego, California, said they have been

Residents of a small coastal California town said they have been ‘trapped in a portable toilet’ after 700 consecutive days of beach closures.

For the past four years, residents of Imperial City, a small town located 20 minutes’ drive from San Diego, have endured daily exposure to sea spray and aerosol particles originating from the polluted ocean.

More than 100 billion gallons of untreated sewage has flowed through Mexico’s Tijuana River and into the Pacific Ocean, eventually reaching the coastal city over the past five years.

Shannon Johnson, 45, who has lived a few blocks away from the beach since 2010, said CBS that neither she nor her two children, aged 9 and 10 respectively, have put their feet in the sand in the past year.

‘Every time we go to the beach, they ask: ‘Is it going to be clean? When are they going to fix it?” Johnson said.

Residents on this California shoreline feel like they are trapped

Residents of Imperial Beach, a small town located 20 minutes’ drive from San Diego, California, said they have been “trapped in a portable toilet” after 700 days of beach closures.

1710647846 21 Residents on this California shoreline feel like they are trapped

1710647846 21 Residents on this California shoreline feel like they are trapped

For the past four years, Imperial City residents have endured daily exposure to sea spray and aerosol particles originating from the polluted ocean. “I’m more frustrated than ever since we found out it’s going up,” said one resident

An estimated 13 billion gallons of contaminated water entered the Pacific Ocean through the Tijuana River in Mexico last year

An estimated 13 billion gallons of contaminated water entered the Pacific Ocean through the Tijuana River in Mexico last year

heavy metals, toxic chemicals and bacteria found in the water are released into the air and linger in the soil

heavy metals, toxic chemicals and bacteria found in the water are released into the air and linger in the soil

More than 100 billion gallons of untreated sewage has flowed through Mexico’s Tijuana River and into the Pacific Ocean, eventually reaching the coastal city over the past five years

An estimated 13 billion gallons of contaminated water entered the Pacific Ocean through the Tijuana River in Mexico last year.

According to a study by San Diego State University, heavy metals, toxic chemicals and bacteria found in the water are released into the air and linger in the soil.

‘I’m more frustrated than ever since we found out it’s going up. So it’s not just the water,’ said one resident.

In letters from community members calling for action, one resident said the smell is ‘akin to being trapped in a portable toilet’, so strong it wakes them up at night.

Despite Imperial Beach seeing over 700 consecutive days of beach closures, residents continue to endure the daily effects of pollution.

Johnson mentioned that her young children have also been exposed to the bad smell as they go to school near the river valley.

“They’re like, ‘Why does it smell? Is it safe?’ I’m like, yeah, I guess so. What should I tell them?’ she said.

Even after suffering two unexplained pulmonary embolisms and other health problems, she said: ‘In the back of my mind I wonder if it has something to do with the air I breathe.’

According to a study by San Diego State University, heavy metals, toxic chemicals and bacteria in the water are released into the air and linger in the soil.

According to a study by San Diego State University, heavy metals, toxic chemicals and bacteria in the water are released into the air and linger in the soil.

According to a study by San Diego State University, heavy metals, toxic chemicals and bacteria in the water are released into the air and linger in the soil.

1710647847 265 Residents on this California shoreline feel like they are trapped

1710647847 265 Residents on this California shoreline feel like they are trapped

Despite Imperial Beach seeing over 700 consecutive days of beach closures, residents continue to endure the daily effects of pollution

Johnson mentioned that her young children have also been exposed to the bad smell as they go to school near the river valley

Johnson mentioned that her young children have also been exposed to the bad smell as they go to school near the river valley

Johnson mentioned that her young children have also been exposed to the bad smell as they go to school near the river valley

Marvel Harrison, a 67-year-old psychologist who moved to the city with her husband in 2020, is considering moving again.

‘I find myself looking at other places we might live. And it’s really disheartening considering that this is where and how we wanted to retire, she said.

“As much as the stench permeates the air, the subject permeates the stress and anxiety of everyone’s life here,” she said, adding that she always thinks twice before inviting guests to her house.

In the study published last month, researchers described the pollution as ‘an escalating public health crisis’.

There is a potential for both short- and long-term health risks associated with exposure, which really underscores the need for more extensive monitoring and research,” said Paula Stigler, the paper’s lead author.

“Urgent intervention is needed to help reduce and address both the immediate and long-term health consequences of those living near this hazardous environment.”

The cities of Imperial Beach and Chula Vista filed a lawsuit against the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), saying it violated the Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

The lawsuit alleged that the IBWC had failed to take steps to control sewage pollution from the coast.

The cities of Imperial Beach and Chula Vista filed a lawsuit against the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), saying it violated the Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

The cities of Imperial Beach and Chula Vista filed a lawsuit against the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), saying it violated the Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

The cities of Imperial Beach and Chula Vista filed a lawsuit against the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), saying it violated the Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

Local officials have been involved, and the city's mayor has called for the involvement of the CDC to monitor the problem and public health concerns

Local officials have been involved, and the city's mayor has called for the involvement of the CDC to monitor the problem and public health concerns

Local officials have been involved, and the city’s mayor has called for the involvement of the CDC to monitor the problem and public health concerns

A settlement was reached last month, and the IBWC agreed to increase cooperation with Mexican water authorities to prevent future sewage spills.

Local officials have been involved, and the city’s mayor has called for the involvement of the CDC to monitor the problem and public health concerns.

“The ongoing health impacts greatly reduce the quality of life for the community,” said Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre.

“It’s a challenging task, but now is the time to ensure that our elderly, our children and water enthusiasts are not exposed to increased health risks while simply trying to enjoy a sunny day,” she added.

Congressman Scott Peters said: ‘This environmental disaster has harmed the region for many years, resulting in decades of negative health impacts.’

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