San Diego County approves $8.75M to combat Tijuana River pollution crisis

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved $8.75 million Wednesday to address the ongoing Tijuana River pollution crisis through health studies, infrastructure improvements and an expanded air purifier program.

The funding package includes $4.75 million for epidemiological studies and a temporary infrastructure fix at Saturn Boulevard, plus $4 million to expand an air purifier program serving South Bay residents.

“This crisis disproportionately hits our low-income and vulnerable neighborhoods,” Supervisor Paloma Aguirre said during the meeting. “And by funding these projects, we’re telling the people of South Bay that your health is a priority and that we can’t wait for years for solutions to come from the federal government or from across the border.”

The board also established a County Pollution Crisis Chief position to centralize coordination of the county’s sewage crisis response. The executive-level role will serve as a single point of accountability for public health monitoring, infrastructure mitigation, emergency response, environmental protection and intergovernmental advocacy.

The Saturn Boulevard hotspot, where polluted water churns through concrete culverts, has been identified as the epicenter of the Tijuana River Valley air pollution crisis in the South Bay. Research shows the area releases millions of particles, aerosols and molecules carrying dangerous pollutants into the air.

The board approved $2.5 mi...