A free public summit on the Tijuana River sewage crisis kicks off Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Coronado Community Center, starting with a paddle out on Glorietta Bay at 4 p.m.
The Water Summit, sponsored by nonprofit Emerald Keepers, opens the second annual San Diego Climate Week and brings together leaders from the United States, Mexico and Tribal nations for a rare tri-national panel discussion. The event takes place in the community center's Nautilus Room, according to the Coronado Times.
More than 100 billion gallons of sewage and untreated wastewater had flowed through the Tijuana River into the Pacific Ocean as of March 2025, according to a San Diego Documenters report. The crisis has dominated Coronado's civic conversation for months, and the summit arrives one day after San Diego County supervisors announced a $5.8 million plan to build treatment infrastructure on the U.S. side of the border.
What's on the schedule
The afternoon begins at 4 p.m. with a ceremonial paddle out on Glorietta Bay. Participants are asked to bring their own board or kayak.
At 5 p.m., a "Make Waves Fair" opens with San Diego nonprofits working in public health, binational advocacy and coastal preservation. Light food and beverages will be available.
The main event starts at 6 p.m.: a tri-national expert panel featuring U.S., Mexican and Tribal leaders discussing the state of the sewage crisis and pathways toward solutions. Breakout sessions will follow, with small working groups focused on practical actions. Individual panelists have not been announced.
Advance registration is required and opened Tuesday at luma.com/7qz5w6mc. The summit is free.
County proposal adds context
Supervisors Paloma Aguirre and Terra Lawson-Remer announced the $5.8 million proposal Monday, Aug. 31. Aguirre said the county funds would allow officials to get the situation under control and build infrastructure on U.S. soil rather than depending on Mexico for solutions.
The proposal includes a three-phase plan starting with an 18-month study costing nearly $2 million. It would also convert the board's ad hoc Tijuana River subcommittee into a standing committee. A potential funding source is the San Diego County Health and Safety Act, a half-cent sales tax measure on the November ballot that could generate roughly $360 million a year, with about $80 million earmarked for Tijuana River pollution.
More Climate Week events ahead
San Diego Climate Week runs through Thursday, Oct. 8, with more than 100 events across the county. Emerald Keepers will also host a community cleanup at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Tidelands Park. Questions can be directed to [email protected].
