Tijuana River sewage crisis costs region up to $503 million a year, study finds
San Diego County officials presented preliminary findings Tuesday from a long-awaited study that estimates the Tijuana River sewage and pollution crisis costs the regional economy between $125.6 million and $503.5 million annually, with unmitigated losses potentially reaching $7.9 billion over 20 years. The Board of Supervisors received the draft report during its regular meeting, though no action was required. The board directed the county’s chief administrative officer in September 2025 to commission the study, which was ultimately awarded to the consulting firm ECOnorthwest. Supervisor Paloma Aguirre said the findings will bolster the county’s case for outside intervention and aid in this crisis.
Other Tijuana River news:
- KPBS (San Diego): Report: San Diego County misses out on up to $500M each year due to Tijuana River pollution
- KPBS: New report finds chronic pollution in Tijuana River
- NBC7 (San Diego): Study puts Tijuana sewage crisis economic toll as high as $7.9B
- FOX5 (San Diego): Economic impacts of Tijuana River sewage crisis
- The Coronado News (Calif.): Coronado’s City Council candidates weigh in on Tijuana sewage crisis
