SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Local leaders say it's going to cost millions of dollars to prevent toxic waste from flowing into the Tijuana River Valley, but it's a bill they are willing to pay.
Dozens of local leaders and federal agencies came together this morning with a common goal, to prevent the massive amounts of sewage from flowing into our San Diego County beaches.
"427 million gallons of sewage has hit our water and our beaches just this year alone," says Port of San Diego Commissioner, Dan Malcolm.
During today's meeting, leaders were given possible solutions on how to tackle the problem.
"To divert sewage and wastewater flow away from the Tijuana River Valleys, so that it can either be treated or diverted to outflow pumps, that would pump the water far out in the Pacific Ocean," says Mayor of Coronado Richard Bailey.
The costs are estimated up to $400 million.
Local leaders say sewage isn't the only contaminate in the water. A chemical test was done that showed things like herbicides, arsenic, and lead are also flowing into the sea.
"The time of talk is over," says Serge Dedina, Mayor of Imperial Beach. "The time of actually doing things and preventing sewage and toxic waste from reaching our beach is now."
Local leaders say the next plan of action is to ask Congress for help with funding.
Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Mayor Serge Dedina will be visiting Mexico over the next few days to talk about solutions to the waste in the Tijuana River Valley.
