Mexico leak causing wastewater overflow, U.S. beach contamination
A leak in Mexico is causing tens of millions of gallons of extra wastewater to flow into the United States, creating a domino effect on local beaches. Imperial Beach’s coastline has been closed since Dec. 8 with a sign that reads: “Keep out, sewage contaminated water,” which is not an uncommon sight in the area. However, a new issue in the last week will likely contribute to the ongoing problem. A spokesperson for the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) called a recent leak “unprecedented.” In the last week, daily flows through Stewart’s drain have quickly grown, surpassing 40 million gallons in a five-day span, which is astronomical for that drain.
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- San Diego Union-Tribune: Surfers were right - Imperial Beach is polluted with Tijuana sewage even in summer, study confirms