CORONADO, Calif. — People gathered at a forum in Coronado to learn more about what’s being done to address the Tijuana sewage crisis.
"I believe it's unacceptable for the situation that's occurring right now," said Maria-Elena Giner, the United States Commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission.
She explained a two-part plan to repair infrastructure in the U.S. and Mexico. This includes a wastewater plant expansion and fixing a damaged pipeline that transports water from the Tijuana river.
"That's what's primarily impacting and closing the beaches since July of 2022," Giner said.
The sewage prompting beach closures is also impacting people's health. Doctors say they're seeing sick patients in the South Bay who never went into the water.
"We just got overrun by patients with gastrointestinal illness, vomiting and diarrhea. We're talking to these patients. In the past they were people in the water so we could warn them but now we can't say that," said Dr. Matt Dickson.
Recently the county launched a website to track gastrointestinal illnesses in the South Bay. This week the county reported not seeing a significant increase in cases, however, doctors say we might not be getting the whole picture.
"We have boots on the ground. we're here. We have patients with lots of illness that's not reportable," Dr. Kimberly Dickson said.
She says only gastrointestinal illnesses are reported in the tracker. It's not including skin infections, sinus issues, asthma and other problems caused by the pollution. For now she says the tracker is at least one step in the right direction
"This will help build trust in our community. Give our community a little bit of hope someone is out there to help us. This has been an issue for so many years. Our community really needs hope," she said.
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