Cover photo: Joana Guerra
The Tijuana River Watershed is a strikingly beautiful and deeply meaningful place for communities on both sides of the Mexico/U.S. border. It provides critical habitat to countless species and is the largest remaining coastal wetland in Southern California. Yet, each year, billions of gallons of untreated sewage, industrial waste, and trash flow across the border through the river and enter the Pacific Ocean, causing beach closures throughout South San Diego County and widespread illnesses throughout the region. In 2025, that number reached more than 15.2 billion gallons in polluted transboundary flows.
Based in San Diego, Surfrider’s Clean Border Water Now Program addresses the transboundary pollution that is causing a grave public health and environmental justice crisis in the San Diego/Tijuana cross-border region.
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Recognition for the Tijuana River Coalition
On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the County of San Diego and Chair Pro Tem Paloma Aguirre recognized the Tijuana River Coalition with a proclamation, declaring April 21st to be Tijuana River Coalition Day! Surfrider Foundation’s Clean Border Water Now team was blown away by this incredible honor and the opportunity to speak when accepting this immense recognition.
Surfrider proudly co-convenes the Tijuana River Coalition alongside our partners, YMCA of San Diego, Outdoor Outreach, and Un Mar de Colores, with funding from the Conrad Prebys Foundation. We are grateful to stand in unity with more than 65 community-based organizations, elected officials, academic and public health institutions, and government agencies to raise awareness about the public health crisis in the Tijuana River Watershed and to drive actionable solutions that protect our communities and ensure equitable access to clean water, clean air, and safe outdoor spaces for all.
The member organizations that make up the coalition represent residents, youth, workers, families, scientists, doctors, businesses, and recreationists throughout San Diego County. We share a vision for the Tijuana Watershed and coastline in Southern California and Northern Baja where all children are free to play at school and on the beach without risking a trip to the emergency room; where the river, estuary and coastline support vibrant habitat, wildlife, and migration corridors; where we can all breathe clean air, swim and surf in clean water, and enjoy being outside without getting sick; and where a robust economy and safe work spaces support visitors, emergency responders, and working families without being assaulted by toxic pollution.
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Photo: Nanzi Muro
The Coalition aims to lessen the impact of transboundary pollution on communities and address the deeper historic injustices that have led us to this point so all may heal and thrive. In only its third year, the Coalition is quickly growing in both membership and effectiveness. Last year alone, the Coalition submitted 10 sign-on advocacy letters, turned out over 125 written comments and oral testimony at public meetings, contributed to over 60 media pieces, convened over 25 meetings and events, and initiated the Youth Circle - a youth-led advocacy arm of the coalition.
As the Coalition continues to expand, we remain committed to uniting groups who are impacted by and working on addressing transboundary pollution in the Tijuana Watershed, expanding public awareness and access to information, increasing public participation in watershed conversations, and advocating for solutions that are informed by those most impacted.
Advocate and Heal
To express our gratitude to the Board of Supervisors for their leadership in addressing the Tijuana River pollution crisis and protecting the residents of South San Diego County, coalition members collectively made an art piece titled, “Advocate and Heal”. Five panels compose the piece, one for each Supervisor. Like the Coalition, the panels work well individually and together. They feature the Tijuana River Coalition logo, which was designed by local artist Josué Baltézar (@thisisntjosue).
The logo brings together various elements to symbolize the dedication to advocacy for and protection of the Tijuana River region, which includes both sides of the US/MX border. The design aims to convey a sense of interconnectedness and call attention to the need to protect our natural environment and the communities along the entire Tijuana River region.
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This art piece is a symbol of the Coalition’s collective vision for the Tijuana River, for our region, and for our communities. We know the road to reaching this vision is long, and we are grateful to be working alongside the many dedicated community members and advocates on both sides of the border to get there. Thank you to all those who have contributed to collective action around this crisis. We share this honor with you!
Many more state level actions are in motion to help impacted communities in South San Diego. Add your voice to our new petition urging California decision-makers to advance much needed solutions.
Photo: Joana Guerra
Other ways to contribute:
- Follow us on social media for regular updates: @cleanborderwaternow.
- Sign up for our mailing list.
- Check out our monthly Tijuana Watershed Speaker Series.
- Donate to our Clean Border Water Now program to help us continue this work.