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Some Southern California beaches are facing repeated closures as sewage continues to pollute coastal waters.
In Coronado, a beach community near San Diego, county officials issued an advisory urging visitors to avoid contact with the water. Warning signs along the coast warn that exposure can lead to illness as polluted runoff enters the Pacific Ocean.
The issue is closely linked to the Tijuana River, which carries untreated sewage from Mexico into US waters. Ocean currents then push the dirt north along the coast.
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Officials say the scale of the problem is huge. Up to 30 million gallons of wastewater can flow into the Pacific Ocean every day from Tijuana, polluting beaches along the Southern California coast, according to the Wall Street Journal.
In Coronado, officials are warning visitors to avoid the ocean water as up to 30 million gallons of sewage flowing from Tijuana can enter the Pacific every day and cause illness. (Guillermo Arias/AFP)
Even high-end coastal areas have been affected. The water near the historic Hotel del Coronado faced a shutdown due to unsafe conditions, a source said.
Sewage pollution in the Tijuana River has been linked to respiratory problems and other illnesses in nearby communities.
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Hydrogen sulfide, a gas often associated with sewage, can irritate the eyes and respiratory system and in high concentrations can cause serious health effects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
District officials are advising visitors to avoid contact with the water as sewage contamination is linked to disease. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Exposure to contaminated water can lead to gastrointestinal illness, while air pollution is associated with headaches and respiratory problems.
Doctors and community advocates say children are particularly affected, with some reporting increased asthma symptoms, skin rashes and other health issues linked to the pollution, California publication CalMatters reports.
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Residents also expressed concern about the lingering smell on the beach.
“There’s a foul smell of sewage from outside coming into my house,” one user wrote on Reddit. “This has been going on for months with no improvement.”
Dirty water and air have been linked to illness, especially among children, and residents have been reporting persistent sewage odors on the beach. (Stock)
“Bad,” added another user. “This has been going on for a long time.”
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Fox News Digital previously reported that the sanitation issue has drawn attention at the federal level, with officials warning of broader implications for public health and national security.
President Donald Trump has asked Mexico to deal with the flow of untreated sewage into the United States, which he described as a threat to nearby communities.
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Local leaders say the pollution has affected tourism and military operations, including Navy SEAL training at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado.
Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano and Emma Colton contributed reporting.
