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For decades, the Tijuana River has carried millions of gallons of untreated sewage and industrial waste from Mexico into San Diego’s South Bay. This toxic flow empties into the Pacific Ocean, causing more than 1,300 consecutive days of beach closures and exposing nearby communities to dangerous levels of pollution. 

Residents of Imperial Beach and surrounding neighborhoods have long reported foul odors, eye and throat irritation, respiratory problems, fatigue, and persistent headaches. New scientific research confirms what locals have been saying for years: that sewage pollution from the Tijuana River is not only contaminating the water, it’s poisoning the air as well. 

Scientific Findings Confirm Community Concerns

In August 2025, researchers from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC Riverside, San Diego State University, and the National Science Foundation released a peer-reviewed study in Science linking Tijuana River sewage pollution directly to hazardous air quality. 

The study found that the river emits Hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas often associated with sewage, at levels up to 4,500 times higher than typical urban environments. In some Imperial Beach neighborhoods, residents were exposed to hourly averages 70 times greater than the state’s one-hour air quality standard. These levels are not just unpleasant – they are linked to serious health effects, including:

• Headaches and nausea
• Eye, nose, and throat irritation
• Breathing difficulties and aggravated asthma
• Fatigue and neurological symptoms

The study also identified hundreds of additional toxic gases released alongside hydrogen sulfide, raising further concerns about long-term health consequences. 

“This is not just an odor problem,” SDSU environmental health scientist Paula Stigler Granados explained. “These concentrations are already associated with adverse health effects, particularly among vulnerable populations.” 

How the Pollution Harms Residents

The environmental crisis has touched nearly every aspect of life in Imperial Beach:

• Health Risks: Families report chronic respiratory issues, skin rashes, and other symptoms consistent with toxic exposure. Children, the elderly, and people with preexisting health conditions are especially vulnerable. 
• Economic Impacts: Frequent beach closures have devastated local businesses, tourism, and property values in a community that relies heavily on its coastal resources. 
• Quality of Life: The persistent stench of sewage, coupled with fears of long-term health consequences, has robbed residents of their right to enjoy their homes and neighborhood safely. 

Singleton Schreiber Files Mass Tort Against Veolia and Other Defendants

On October 15, 2024, Singleton Schreiber filed the first lawsuit on behalf of Imperial Beach residents against Veolia Water Operating Services, Veolia Water North America-West, and Veolia employee Mark Wippler.

These defendants operate the South Bay International Water Treatment Plant (SBIWTP) under contract with the International Boundary and Water Commission. Despite receiving millions of dollars in federal funding, Veolia has allegedly failed to properly manage the facility, resulting in more than 500 illegal discharges since 2018 and more than a billion gallons of raw sewage polluting the river and ocean. 

The lawsuit seeks compensation for:

• Medical expenses related to toxic exposure
• Property damage and loss of home value
• Business and income losses caused by beach closures and contamination
• Pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life

In addition, the case demands accountability and corrective measures to ensure this crisis does not continue. 

Who Qualifies to Join the Lawsuit?

If you live, work, or own property in Imperial Beach or other affected South Bay communities, you may be eligible to file a claim. Impacted groups include:

• Residents exposed to foul odors or harmful gases
• Families experiencing health problems related to sewage pollution
• Property owners who have suffered loss of value or property damage
• Local businesses harmed by repeated beach closures and unsafe conditions

If you believe you may be affected, contact Singleton Schreiber today to learn more about your potential legal rights and options.