Tijuana Cross-Border Sewage Emergency

At a glance

• What: Ongoing emergency regarding raw sewage, solid waste and sediment flowing into San Diego from Tijuana, Mexico across the international border.
• Where it stands: City Council declared continued state of emergency on May 12, 2026 (Resolution R-316774, vote 8-0).
• Status: Emergency remains active, ongoing transboundary pollution issue.

Issue background

Raw sewage, solid waste and sediment from Tijuana crossing into San Diego across the international border presents a public health and environmental hazard to the city. The city has declared a state of emergency to enable coordinated response and resource allocation.

Council action (May 12, 2026)

Motion by Councilmember von Wilpert to adopt; second by Councilmember Campbell.

Resolution R-316774 "Declaring a Continued State of Emergency Regarding Raw Sewage, Solid Waste, and Sediment Coming from Tijuana, Mexico" adopted.

Vote 8-0 (Raul Campillo absent).

Sources

• Minutes: https://sandiego.hylandcloud.com/211agendaonlinecouncil/Documents/DownloadFile/Tuesday_Agenda%2c_Results_Summary%2c_and_Minutes_6960_Minutes_5_12_2026_10_00_00_AM.pdf?documentType=2&meetingId=6960
• Resolution R-316774

Log

2026-05-12 - City Council

Continued state of emergency declared regarding raw sewage, solid waste and sediment from Tijuana, Mexico. Resolution R-316774 adopted. Vote 8-0.

• 2026-10-27 - City Council (Tuesday (revised agenda)) Meeting - Continued state of emergency listed on the October 27 agenda; vote not recorded in the posted summary.