News Summary
San Diego is experiencing a significant water quality crisis with rising sewage contamination levels at its beaches. The Heal the Bay’s 2024-2025 Beach Report Card reveals that while some beaches received A+ grades, others, particularly near the U.S.-Mexico border, were flagged as ‘Beach Bummers’ due to high fecal-indicator bacteria levels. This is compounded by ongoing sewage issues and inconsistent testing methods. Health officials urge beachgoers to stay informed and heed swimming advisories as they prepare for the holiday weekend.
San Diego is facing a significant water quality crisis as recent reports indicate increasing levels of sewage contamination at local beaches. The Heal the Bay’s 2024-2025 Beach Report Card places many San Diego beaches under scrutiny, highlighting concerns that could affect public health and recreational activities.
The report categorized twelve San Diego beaches as part of its “Honor Roll,” which includes those that maintained clean water with A+ grades year-round. However, this good news is overshadowed by four beaches near the U.S.-Mexico border that were flagged as “Beach Bummers.” These locations—Imperial Beach at Seacoast Drive, Border Field State Park, Tijuana River Mouth, and Tijuana Slough—have shown high levels of fecal-indicator bacteria, primarily due to contamination from the Tijuana River.
To qualify for the Honor Roll, beaches must pass consistent water quality testing, typically conducted on a weekly basis. In a concerning trend, about one-third of San Diego beaches were not graded at all, which is attributed to the use of inconsistent testing methods by various agencies.
This issue is exacerbated by ongoing sewage contamination problems. Over the recent Memorial Day weekend, San Diego County extended ocean water closures because of elevated bacteria levels, affecting popular locations such as the Coronado shoreline, Tijuana Slough shoreline, Imperial Beach, and Silver Strand. Moreover, an advisory has been issued for San Luis Rey River Outlet, North Cove Vacation Isle, La Jolla Cove, and La Jolla Children’s Pool, indicating potential risks for swimmers.
In an encouraging development, Mission Beach has been reported safe for swimming, although lifeguards have warned beachgoers about heavy rip tides and projected seven-foot swells. With ocean temperatures expected to rise as the Fourth of July holiday approaches, caution is advised as the warmer waters tend to attract sting rays, which are known to cause numerous injuries each year.
Visitor sentiments reflect the tense situation. A family from Arizona was met with sewage warnings at Imperial Beach, expressing disappointment as their children had been eager to swim. As Memorial Day continues to draw near, Southern California beaches anticipate large crowds, even as some have been identified among the country’s dirtiest in the annual Clean Water Report.
The Surfrider Foundation’s Clean Water Report indicated that 80% of California beaches analyzed registered bacteria levels above state health standards at least once during 2024. Factors contributing to this deterioration include stormwater runoff and failing sewage infrastructure, which are major causes of beach closures and advisory warnings against swimming.
Recently, two North San Diego County beaches have also been added to the advisory list due to bacterial levels surpassing safety limits. These are Carlsbad State Beach at Tamarack and a section of Buena Vista Lagoon at the Oceanside-Carlsbad border. Contributing to the continuing crisis was a recent spill from a pump station on Hollister Street, resulting in an estimated 30,000 gallons of sewage released into the ocean.
In light of these events, public health officials strongly advise beachgoers to stay informed on water quality conditions and to adhere to advisories warning against swimming in contaminated waters. San Diego County continues to implement efforts to test water quality at local beaches while addressing the rising health concerns surrounding beach use.
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Additional Resources
- CBS 8: San Diego Beaches Ranked by Water Quality
- Wikipedia: Water Quality
- NBC San Diego: Coronado Shoreline Closed
- Google Search: San Diego Beach Water Quality
- Desert Sun: California’s Bacteria Hot Spots
- Google Scholar: Water Quality San Diego Beaches
- Fox 5 San Diego: Wastewater Plant Repair
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Beach Contamination
- Desert Sun: Dirty Beaches Memorial Day Weekend Advisory
- Google News: California Beach Water Quality Reports
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
