San Diego County officials announced the closure of East Mission Bay yesterday due to a 2,000-gallon sewage spill, impacting the popular recreational area of Tecolote Shores and its surrounding waters according to Fox 5 San Diego. This incident adds to the ongoing water contamination crisis in the region, with San Diego County already dealing with several water contact closures and advisories, raising concerns among residents and environmentalists.
The affected area includes the Mission Bay shoreline at Tecolote Shores, half-a-mile north to Comfort Station, half-a-mile south to Tecolote Creek, and east to Fiesta Island, as reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune. Sewage contamination signs have been posted throughout the area, while water samples have been collected to assess potential long-term impacts on water quality. The public has been advised to avoid contact with the water, as sewage exposure may cause illness.
In June, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors had declared a local state of emergency over cross-border pollution affecting local beaches per Fox 5 San Diego. The resolution declared an environmental and public health crisis, urging both California Governor Gavin Newsom and President Joe Biden to declare state and federal states of emergency to expedite resources for the county.
Presently, San Diego County has multiple water contact closures and advisories in place, including those at Bayside Park at J Street, Tidelands Park, San Diego River Outlet, North Cove Vacation Isle, La Jolla Cove, Avenida De La Playa, and Children's Pool due to bacteria levels exceeding state health standards, according to NBC San Diego. Additionally, there are warnings at Imperial Beach Shoreline and Coronado due to transboundary sewage flows, and a closure at the Tijuana Slough Shoreline for the same reason, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
For current information on water quality at coastal shorelines, visit sdbeachinfo.com.
