SDAPCD Investigation into Odor Complaints in Tijuana River Valley Communities

The San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) is actively investigating numerous odor complaints from communities surrounding the Tijuana River Valley. This webpage is dedicated to providing transparent and timely updates on the actions taken by SDAPCD in response to these air quality concerns.

The SDAPCD is a government agency responsible for regulating air pollution sources to protect and improve air quality in San Diego County. One of our key responsibilities is enforcing regulations that prevent air pollution from causing public nuisances, including odors that may injure, disturb, or endanger the public’s comfort, health, or safety. These regulations are outlined under SDAPCD Rule 51 and the California Health and Safety Code, Section 41700.

While SDAPCD is dedicated to improving air quality and addressing odor complaints, it's important to note that our agency does not measure or regulate pathogens or disease-causing organisms.

In response to hundreds of odor complaints from communities near the Tijuana River, SDAPCD is documenting strong odors that are significantly impacting local communities. On July 29, 2024, SDAPCD issued Notices of Violation (NOV) (A) (B) to the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) and its contractor, Veolia, alleging violations of SDAPCD Rule 51 and state law.  On August 30, 2024, SDAPCD issued subsequent NOVs (A) (B) to the IBWC and its contractor, Veolia, alleging violations of SDAPCD Rule 51 and state law.

The public nuisance odors documented by SDAPCD is primarily attributed to outdated infrastructure and inadequate maintenance at the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant and associated equipment (pump stations and collectors), which are under the responsibility of both the USIBWC and its contractor. You can view the USIBWC's letters (1), (2) to SDAPCD in response to the Notices of Violation and SDAPCD's response here.

SDAPCD is committed to ensuring full compliance with all applicable air quality regulations before considering any settlement discussions. Once compliance is achieved, violations of this nature result in monetary penalties, reflecting the severity of the infraction or litigation. Factors such as the extent of harm, the nature and persistence of the violation, the duration of the violation, and efforts to correct the issue will all influence the determination of penalties. For more information, visit our statutory penalties page.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the communities that reported these odors and placed their trust in SDAPCD. Our team remains fully committed to enforcing air quality regulations and protecting your right to breathe clean air. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and take necessary enforcement actions until compliance is achieved.

Stay tuned to this page for ongoing updates as we continue this investigation and safeguard the health and well-being of the affected communities.