In the video, DeMaio, who represents District 75 encompassing border areas like Imperial Beach and Otay Mesa, claims Mexico is "quietly dumping thousands and thousands of tons of their garbage on our side of the border." He ties this to the ongoing sewage spills from Tijuana, estimating millions of gallons contaminating local waters annually. "It's not fair that our environment gets contaminated by the trash dumped by the Mexican government," DeMaio states, highlighting the burden on California taxpayers for cleanup and limited landfill space. He demands probes by the U.S. EPA and the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), urging sanctions if the dumping persists.
This isn't new. The Tijuana River Valley has been a hotspot for cross-border pollution for decades, with untreated sewage flowing north during heavy rains due to Mexico's outdated infrastructure. In 2024 alone, over 36 billion gallons reportedly crossed, closing beaches like Imperial Beach for hundreds of days and triggering health advisories for E. coli and other pathogens.
Local surfers, families, and businesses have suffered: tourism dips, property values stagnate, and respiratory issues spike from toxic aerosols. A 2025 EPA report under the Trump administration touted progress on a $474 million joint sanitation project under IBWC Minute 328, but critics say funding gaps – Mexico covering only 45% – have stalled real fixes.
DeMaio's push gained traction last November when he formally requested a federal investigation into the trash dumping, describing it as "sewage-laden debris, toxic runoff, and hazardous waste."
Photos from the site show mountains of tires, plastics, and debris piled in canyons like Goat Canyon, funneled by storm drains from Tijuana. "This is not just a pile of trash," DeMaio said in a press release. His efforts align with bipartisan bills like the Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act (S.2260), which allocates $50 million annually through 2036 for cleanup.
Governor Newsom's office has defended state actions. In a December 2025 post, the California Water Resources Control Board highlighted a pilot project using trash-capture booms that diverted 50 tons of debris from Pacific beaches during storms.
Brandon Richards, Newsom's rapid response director, responded to the X post with a skeptical emoji and a link to that initiative, implying state efforts are underway. Yet, DeMaio and locals argue it's insufficient. "Promises don't clean sewage. Enforcement does," DeMaio posted on social media.
San Diegans are fed up. Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre called it a "public health emergency," while environmental groups like Surfrider Foundation demand more federal pressure on Mexico. X reactions echo the frustration: one user quipped, "Mexico dumps raw sewage AND trash on us, but Democrats only care about plastic straws." Another highlighted systemic neglect, noting Biden-era lapses allowed billions of gallons to flow unchecked.
As the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the new administration enforces sediment controls and water reuse, hope flickers. But for now, America’s pristine coastline – from Coronado to La Jolla – bears the brunt. DeMaio's call resonates: Why allow this environmental assault? San Diego deserves answers, action, and clean shores.
