Sewage crisis in South Bay puts businesses on the brink of bankruptcy
A recent county report shows dozens of shops and restaurants in South Bay are suffering from the lack of tourism, with some being forced to close their doors for good. Business owners say it has cr… A recent county report revealed that businesses in South Bay are facing financial difficulties due to a lack of tourism due to the sewage crisis. The issue has led to closure of beaches along Imperial Beach for over 900 days and hazardous air and water quality, making some people sick. The high levels of bacteria from wastewater flowing down the Tijuana River into the South Bay have led to high water levels, leading to high bacterial infections and illness. Local leaders have called on federal and state officials to take action, but the governor has declined. However, Mexico is building a new wastewater treatment plant to reduce the amount of sewage in the ocean.
Veröffentlicht : vor 10 Monaten durch Tony Shin in Business
IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — A recent county report shows dozens of shops and restaurants in South Bay are suffering from the lack of tourism, with some being forced to close their doors for good.
Business owners say it has created a financial disaster for them and they need tourists to come back.
Kevin Reed just opened Seacoast Beach Bar and Sports Grill about a week ago. He told us the journey to get there had “a lot of blood, a lot of sweat, a lot of tears, and a lot of money.”
Reed’s establishment is in a prime location just steps away from the beach, but so far, business hasn’t been good. “Starting after Memorial Day, we were hoping for a huge influx in tourism, and we certainly have not seen that,” Reed said.
The ocean water along Imperial Beach has high levels of bacteria caused by pollution from wastewater flowing down the Tijuana River and into the South Bay. This has forced the closure of the beaches in that area for more than 900 days, while also causing hazardous air and water quality, making some people sick.
“I have it right now. It’s like chronic bronchitis. About every three months, I get really, really sick,” said Kimmy Pierce, owner of Vitamin C Wellness.
Pierce said a few months ago, she almost closed her doors for good because of a lack of tourist dollars. “The sewage crisis has created a bad image, and many tourists are avoiding IB,” she said. “Sometimes when you go somewhere and you go, ‘I live in IB,’ and… ‘ugh’… You know that little reaction. It’s sad because it’s a great community. I love the people.”
Last week, local leaders held a press conference calling on federal and state officials to take action, describing the situation as an environmental, health, and economic disaster. They sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom, pleading with him to declare a state of emergency, but they say the governor told them it’s a federal matter.
A recent county report shows the sewage crisis has caused severe financial problems for dozens of businesses in Imperial Beach.
However, Reed believes hope is on the horizon, and that more tourists will return in a few months, because Mexico is now building a new wastewater treatment plant that should dramatically reduce the amount of sewage in the ocean.
“We love the locals, and they’re here to stay, but we need that extra kick,” Reed said.
Unfortunately, the beaches will likely remain closed through the summer, but officials in Baja say the treatment plant should be operational by September.
Themen: Bankruptcy