IMPERIAL BEACH–For two weeks, a massive sewage spill on the Mexican side of the U.S. border has dumped over 143 million gallons of raw sewage into the Pacific Ocean, heavily polluting the Tijuana River Valley and beaches in southern San Diego.
On Thursday, Imperial Beach residents and environmental activists gathered at the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center to demand action from their federal and state representatives.
Residents claim the stench of raw sewage was widespread and consistently being reported with nothing but silence in response from authorities on both sides of the border.
Those who spoke at the meeting say the sewage puts the health of many impacted communities at risk.
San Diego Councilmember David Alvarez and Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina have reached out to federal officials on both sides of the border to hold those responsible accountable for the sewage spill.
The International Boundary and Water Commission will launch an investigation on the sewage spill. The commission also encouraged community members to write letters demanding action to their federal and state representatives.
