News Summary
Beaches in Coronado and Imperial Beach remain closed due to high bacterial levels caused by sewage contamination from Tijuana. The closures began over Labor Day weekend, raising health concerns. New agreements between the U.S. and Mexico aim to address ongoing sewage issues, with treatment plant capacity recently increased. Local authorities continue to monitor water quality and enforce safety measures amidst growing frustration over recurring contamination problems.
Coronado, California – Beaches in Coronado and Imperial Beach remain closed due to elevated bacterial levels in coastal waters from sewage contamination over the Labor Day weekend, raising health concerns for local residents and visitors. The Silver Strand shoreline closed on August 31, followed by the full closure of the Coronado shoreline on September 1. As of the latest updates, Coronado beaches are still not open to the public.
Meanwhile, Imperial Beach has seen continuous closures since August 2, also caused by similar contamination issues. These beach closures are part of ongoing concerns related to millions of gallons of untreated sewage that are discharged into the ocean and Tijuana River daily from Tijuana, Mexico. The situation continues to pose serious environmental and health risks.
In response to the longstanding sewage problem, a new agreement between the United States and Mexico was established in July, aiming to alleviate these issues. This agreement coincides with the recent expansion of the International Boundary and Water Commission’s (IBWC) wastewater treatment plant, which was completed just before the beach closures. The treatment plant’s capacity increased by 10 million gallons per day, raising its total capability to 35 million gallons per day. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this capacity increase on August 28, praising the enhancement as a step towards better management of wastewater.
The full expansion to a total capacity of 50 million gallons per day is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2027, potentially reducing the volume of untreated sewage entering local waters in the future.
On September 1, a notice was issued at 4:16 PM updating the status of water safety in Coronado, reinforcing earlier announcements regarding the closures. Reports indicate that some beachgoers were in contact with potentially contaminated water prior to the formal closure, prompting county health officials to issue strong warnings against water contact in the affected areas. The presence of sewage may lead to various health issues for those exposed.
In addition to Coronado and Imperial Beach, there have been advisories issued for other coastal areas in San Diego, including La Jolla Cove and San Elijo Lagoon Outlet, due to similarly elevated bacteria levels. The timing of these closures is particularly disappointing, as pleasant weather was anticipated over the Labor Day weekend, hampering local beach community plans to enjoy the holiday.
Frustration has been echoed among beachgoers, reflecting a broader discontent regarding the ongoing wastewater management problems originating from Tijuana. These issues have persisted for over two decades, with many residents and officials calling for accountability and improvement in infrastructure to prevent such situations from arising in the future.
The South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant is still undergoing processes to become operational, and there remains uncertainty regarding its capacity to effectively manage all the sewage originating from Tijuana.
During this period of closure, local lifeguards have been strictly enforcing beach regulations, promptly removing surfers and swimmers who attempted to enter the water despite contamination warnings. Officials continue to monitor water quality and ensure public safety as efforts progress to address the contamination issues affecting these coastal communities.
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Additional Resources
- NBC San Diego
- USA Today
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Google Search: Coronado Beach Closures
- Coronado Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Beach Closure
- CBS 8
- Google News: Sewage Contamination Beach Closures
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Google Scholar: Environmental Impact of Sewage Contamination
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
