News Summary
Emerald Keepers, a local environmental organization, has teamed up with community leaders to confront growing concerns about water and air quality in Coronado. They aim to raise awareness amid health issues linked to sewage problems from Tijuana. Water testing is ongoing, while air quality monitors have been installed, revealing that many residents report concerning health symptoms. A survey shows significant anxiety among locals regarding these environmental challenges, prompting calls for a state of emergency to ensure better responses from authorities.
Coronado – Local environmental organization Emerald Keepers has partnered with community leaders to tackle increasing concerns regarding water and air quality in Coronado. The collaboration aims to raise public awareness of these issues, particularly in light of the adverse health impacts reported by residents stemming from the ongoing sewage crisis originating from Tijuana.
The County of San Diego has been actively conducting regular water quality testing in Coronado, ensuring that the safety of local beach waters is continuously monitored. Simultaneously, Emerald Keepers has taken commendable steps by installing air quality monitors on private residences around the community. Despite these efforts, there remains a concerning lack of understanding as to why air quality in Coronado frequently ranks below that of its neighboring cities.
To address this knowledge gap, it has been proposed that weekly air quality data be published. This strategy could help in identifying specific patterns and causative factors associated with declining air conditions, thus enabling residents to make more informed choices about their health and activities.
A recent community survey, which involved over 2,000 participants from San Diego’s South Bay area, unearthed significant apprehensions regarding air quality and the safety of beach water. Among the survey findings, notable concerns were raised about the impact of sewage flows from Tijuana, which many respondents cited as detrimental to their lives. Furthermore, over 60% of parents reported that their children had missed school due to health symptoms attributed to the sewage crisis.
In addition to school absenteeism, 34% of participants who are employed in the area indicated they had missed work due to symptoms believed to be linked to the ongoing sewage pollution. Commonly reported symptoms included headaches, runny noses, congestion, and coughing. Alarmingly, pet owners also reported similar health issues in their animals, with 25% indicating symptoms such as skin irritation, respiratory problems, and digestive issues.
Mental health impacts were highlighted as a serious concern, with 28% of respondents connecting their symptoms, including bouts of depression, to the stress and anxiety associated with the sewage crisis. Overall, 86% of the surveyed population were local residents, while others were identified as recreational visitors (31%), workers (21%), and students (16%). Yet, the most striking result from the survey revealed that 67% of participants believe that the area is unsafe for living, working, or visiting.
The results of the survey are set to inform further steps towards supporting residents affected by the sewage crisis. This environmental disaster has been ongoing for over three decades and is characterized by government inaction and a lack of effective cooperation among authorities.
Evidence of the crisis’s extended impact was apparent from the respondents who reported health symptoms, with a staggering 69% of participants from the Nestor and South Bay communities indicating they had been affected. Additionally, 18% sought medical care for symptoms directly linked to sewage pollution. What is particularly alarming is the now-afflicted status of affluent Coronado, a once-pristine tourist destination that has suffered recent beach closures due to air and water pollution.
Local leaders in Coronado are being urged to declare an additional 60 days of local state of emergency to intensify governmental responsiveness to the crisis. Previous negligence has depleted community trust in officials, and the emergency declarations have only recently begun to gain momentum. For years, the San Diego City Council has extended their emergency declaration since issuing it in 1993, while federal and state support remains absent.
Critics have expressed concerns that ongoing emergency declarations might negatively influence local businesses; however, without taking prompt action, businesses are likely to suffer further losses. The Coronado City Council declared a local state of emergency in March 2024 to counter the crisis, although it faced resistance. Persisting with this emergency declaration is seen as vital for maintaining focus on the environmental calamity and pursuing necessary federal and state assistance.
Community engagement is crucial in shaping effective strategies to combat this environmental challenge and keep residents informed of potential health risks. Without decisive action on the sewage crisis, the health and economic stability of the Coronado community remains at severe risk.
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Additional Resources
- Coronado Times: Water and Air Quality Report
- Wikipedia: Environmental issues in Tijuana
- Coronado Times: South Bay Survey on Air Quality
- Google Search: Coronado air quality research
- Coronado Times: County Dashboard on Water Pollution
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Water Quality
- Coronado Times: Warning Signs for Hydrogen Sulfide Gas
- Google News: Tijuana sewage crisis
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.
