San Diego, CA

Here’s what to do if you smell those Tijuana River odors

Published

1 year ago

November 15, 2024

Here’s what to do if you smell those Tijuana River odors

Similar to alerts issued when wildfire smoke degrades air quality, the public now has guidelines for what to do if Tijuana River sewer gases surpass certain levels.

The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District on Wednesday unveiled a color-coded air quality index specific to hydrogen sulfide, a gas detected in various parts of South County due to untreated wastewater in the cross-border region.

Communities such as Nestor, Otay Mesa West, Egger Highlands, San Ysidro, Imperial Beach and as far north as Chula Vista have been reporting to the district and government agencies that the rotten egg-like odors are more than just a nuisance. They are experiencing symptoms such as nausea, headaches, dizziness and chronic coughs.

How will the public know when and what actions to take?

They can refer to the district’s newly launched online dashboard, which shows hourly levels of hydrogen sulfide tracked from Nestor and San Ysidro. Readings from Imperial Beach City Hall will also be available in the coming weeks.

Then they can check where those levels fall within the four color-coded tiers:

Green: If monitors detect hydrogen sulfide levels at 4.9 parts per billion (ppb) for one hour, no action is needed because most people won’t smell the odor.
Yellow: If levels are anywhere between 5 ppb and 29.9 ppb for an hour, people sensitive to the sewer gas stench are advised to limit outdoor activities.
Orange: At 30 ppb (the state standard) or higher for an hour, many could experience odor-related symptoms such as headaches and respiratory discomforts. People are encouraged to shut their doors and windows and air out their homes after odors are gone. Air conditioners and purifiers should be on if available. And those with asthma or other respiratory problems should have their medications readily available. Schools are advised to limit outdoor activities or switch to indoor alternatives for students and to alert parents who have children with respiratory or heart conditions to talk to their family doctor.
Purple: At more than 27,000 ppb for an hour, people could experience serious, lasting adverse health effects. First responders would evaluate whether people need to shelter in place or evacuate.

District officials said the guidelines were developed with help from the county, state public health department, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

The effort came after scientists studying the health and environmental impacts of the sewage crisis said in September they found concerning levels of hydrogen sulfide coming from the river. “The community experienced an unprecedented increase in the intensity of odors resulting from high sewage flows, inadequate infrastructure maintenance, and extreme heat,” the district said. Hot spots were detected near schools and homes. In response, some South County schools kept their students indoors, members of Congress renewed calls for a federal state of emergency and the county sent its hazmat team to check gas levels.

The county couldn’t produce the high readings, acknowledging that several factors, such as the wind, could affect outcomes. So county leaders told the public that their health faced no immediate threat. But the mixed messaging confused and infuriated many.

Officials agreed a more collaborative approach was needed to better and consistently monitor the air, as well as give the public guidelines for what to do when odors reach certain levels.

“We want residents to be fully informed about the air quality in their community and actions they can take to protect their comfort and their health,” Paula Forbis, the district’s air pollution control officer, said in a statement. “SDAPCD will continue to build upon our air monitoring efforts and provide timely information to the public.”

The launch of the monitoring systems comes as the district continues to receive odor complaints from communities at and around the Tijuana River Valley despite conditions improving a couple of months ago when Mexico fixed a pump designed to divert sewage flows away from the river.

Last month, the district sent a letter to President Joe Biden and Gov. Gavin Newsom asking them to reconsider their refusals to declare the sewage crisis an emergency. District officials said Wednesday they have not received a response.

District board member and National City Councilmember Marcus Bush said the district should reach out to President-elect Donald Trump and ask him to consider issuing such a declaration.

Also on Wednesday, the district board approved using nearly $3 million to purchase and distribute at least 10,000 air purifiers for households affected by the sewer gas odors. Those living closest to the pollution and vulnerable populations, such as seniors, people with health conditions and households with children, will be prioritized.

Officials also accepted a $200,000 grant from the county’s Neighborhood Reinvestment Program to buy a mobile air monitoring vehicle.

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San Diego, CA

The Best Things to Do in San Diego: May 2026 | San Diego Magazine

Published

4 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Press Room

The Best Things to Do in San Diego: May 2026 | San Diego Magazine

When we think of May, we think of Mother’s Day, blooming flowers, sunny skies, and lots of fun, seasonal events in the city. This month, locals can dine on the creations of James Beard Award-Winning Chefs at Rancho Bernardo Inn, or take advantage of berry season at the annual Vista Strawberry Festival. Theatre lovers can enjoy a showing of Kim’s Convenience at The Old Globe, while the San Diego Natural History Museum invites art enthusiasts to view its latest marine-themed exhibit. Grab your tickets and crack open that planner. Here are all the best things to do in San Diego this month:

Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do

Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Month

29

Louisiana legend Juvenile, enhances by the live instrumentation of The 400 Degreez Band, will perform career hits and his newest album, Boiling Point, at House of Blues San Diego.

Photo Credit: Dahlia Katz

Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Month

5/5–6/1

Turning the spotlight on contemporary LGBTQ artists, the inaugural ArtSpectrum 2026 will showcase both the grand and intimate scale of contemporary painters, photographers, and mixed media artists at Village Arts Outreach in Balboa Park.

12–24

The only ordinary element of the San Diego International Fringe Festival is the constant thrill of the extraordinary. Discover a plethora of innovative performances at venues from Pacific Beach to Baja.

5/15–6/14

A Korean-Canadian family balances tradition and assimilation from their Toronto storefront in Ins Choi’s comforting satire Kim’s Convenience, making its local premier at The Old Globe.

5/22–2/2027

Ocean debris will receive a new beginning at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Using repurposed pollution, Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea depicts creatively sculpted marine life.

More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Month

4/30–5/3

Enjoy fine dining at its finest from a lineup of gastronomic titans during 54 Hours with James Beard Award-Winning Chefs. Savor elegant meals, masterclasses, tastings, and more at Rancho Bernardo Inn.

2

Unlimited bites, regional craft beers, and animal observations are on the menu for San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew (with live music), a culinary evening in support of the San Diego Wildlife Alliance.

7

Spend An Evening with David Sedaris, humorist, essayist, and best-selling author. Never afraid to point the pen at himself, Sedaris will share old favorites and works in progress in the classic satirical style he’s known for at Jacobs Music Center.

15–17

Say cheese! And toast to the Cheese & Libation Expo. Explore three days of all-you-can eat and drink fare at BRICK, along with boutique shopping and bountiful pairings.

PARTNER CONTENT

10 Years In, Puffer and Malarkey Are Just Getting Started

Elevating an Icon: Inside the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Clu…

16

Stroll the private grounds of several luxurious homes, accompanied by live music, tabletop designs, and outdoor artistry, during the Secret Garden Tour, La Jolla Historical Society‘s flora and fauna fundraiser.

24

Vista recalls its days as a strawberry-producing superpower through its free Strawberry Festival. Wear your berry best fit, watch film screenings, and enter contests for shortcake, pie, and sundae indulging.

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San Diego, CA

City considering cutting funding to resource center for those experiencing homelessness

Published

16 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Press Room

City considering cutting funding to resource center for those experiencing homelessness

Last week Mayor Todd Gloria released the budget proposal for the 2027 fiscal budget. Protected homeless services is among his top priorities mentioned in the proposal. However, some of the reductions he’s proposing could impact thousands of San Diegans experiencing homelessness.

Located on 17^th and K Street, the Neil Good Day Center offers an array of services to nearly seven thousand people experiencing homelessness. The services include giving them a place to shower and do laundry, and connecting them to a case manager, among others.

“These are critical services that are helping people off the streets, but really better their lives and their health and their employment situation as well,” Deacon Vargas with Father Joe’s Villages said.

Deacon Jim Vargas heads Father Joe’s Villages, which runs the center. He said through their prevention and diversion strategies, they’ve managed to keep nearly one thousand individuals from falling into homelessness.

“So by helping them pay rent, or helping them with their utilities, or helping them to reunite with family,” Vargas said.

Right now, the city allocates at least $850,000 per year to the Neil Good Day Center, according to Vargas.

But the future and funding for these services are in limbo because of Mayor Todd Gloria’s proposed budget cuts.

“The impact to those whom we’ve been serving the Daily Center would be very severe,” Deacon Vargas said.

In a statement to NBC 7, Mayor Todd Gloria said in part, “We must find more efficient and cost-effective ways to address this crisis and prioritize funding for programs that provide shelter beds and maximize resources to programs that place people into permanent housing.”

Since it’s still at a proposal stage, Deacon Vargas said it’s unclear how the city will decide to move forward.

However, Deacon Vargas said services would be significantly reduced because they would be forced to operate solely on a budget of about half a million dollars they receive from philanthropy.

“The hours would be cut. Some days would be cut. We would have showers that might be impacted because they’re given seven days a week and we’d close two days a week, then the showers would be five days a week, the case management,” Deacon Vargas said.

Deacon Vargas is certain of one thing.

He would like to continue offering services at the Day Center, even if the city goes through with the funding cuts.

“As we work with individuals at the Day Center and at Father Joe’s Villages, the community becomes healthier as a result of it,” Deacon Vargas said.

The budget also recommends additional cuts to homeless services, but does not give specifics as to where those cuts would be.

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