In the last few months, the pedestrian San Ysidro port of entry has been affected by foul-smelling odor that has become more constant and intense, a serious problem that is causing discomfort and health impacts on people. Despite the fact that citizens have made the proper reports to municipal and state authorities, a solution to this problem has not been given. This issue is caused by the spillage of wastewater from a sewer under the jurisdiction of the State Commission of Public Utilities of Tijuana (CESPT).

Patricia Pichardo, who uses this port of entry, said in an interview that she fears that if this problem is not solved soon, it could get worse and unleash serious health problems. This is because people, including her, have to stand these odors while waiting in line to cross.

Every day, they become more unbearable, and there's no way to stop them, because the sewer is right next to where we stand in line. We are breathing all of this and it gives you nausea, indigestion, and headaches. Something has to be done because it is a source of infection.

The pedestrian crossing is used by more than 8 million people every year. It is especially busy in the mornings, when thousands of Tijuana natives -many of them children- who study and work in the United States wait in line to cross. This can sometimes take up to 4 hours.

Human waste and garbage also a problem

Pichardo added that there are more odors coming from the amount of garbage that tends to accumulate in the surrounding area, generated by people and merchants in the area. In addition, there's human waste left by people that use the pedestrian bridge to sleep.

The corner where this pedestrian bridge is stinks horribly. Some people also sleep there and it smells like human feces. Friends have told me that they have seen them throwing human waste into the sewer and that's why it smells so awful.

This situation was confirmed by San Diego Red whose team explored the area. On the stairs and the bridge's rest spots, and all along it, an accumulation of urine and fecal matter makes breathing intolerable.

Merchants of this area, such as Mr. Alfredo Juárez said, “If it is a problem for users, imagine us! We are here the entire day and we have to stand it. We have reported it, authorities must pay attention and resolve this issue."

People could end up being intoxicated

According to information by the Secretariat of Health of Mexico, foul odor is created by several substances coming in contact with one another. They get broken down by organic matter microbes found in wastewater and solids.

"From these interactions, foul-smelling and harmful composite fumes can be detected by our sense of smell. It sends a prevention signal telling us that something in our environment is not healthy and it is dangerous," the institution states.

People who are exposed to the contamination created by bad odor may experience harmful health conditions such as "headaches, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, breathing problems, and bad moods."

"Our sense of smell activates when we are exposed for a long period of time to a bad smell and we end up getting used to it. But when this happens, it can cause serious health problems like irritation of the nose, eyes, and throat until it becomes an intoxication," he claimed.

A negative aspect for tourism

Julián Palombo Saucedo, president of the National Chamber of Commerce, Services, and Tourism of Tijuana (CANACO), shared in an interview that, besides the health issue, this problem also affects tourism, as visitors may end up having a bad experience and get a negative impression of the city.

"It is a very sensitive topic for tourism activity, which is why it is urgent that this sewer problem and the foul odor are addressed. But more than that, there needs to be a reorganization of this area because of the number of street trade that invades this pedestrian space and creates all the waste," he said.

He explained that, since it is an important and strategic area of the city considering it is the port of entry for travelers going in and out of the country, commerce order must be established. The area also needs to be constantly cleaned up and a plan must be carried out regarding the river's distribution, as it also releases foul odor.

"This is very important because whenever someone visits an unknown place, their first impression is the first image that will be registered in your mind and that also influences whether you come back. That’s why addressing this issue is urgent so as to avoid visitors' chance of getting a bad impression," he said.

The San Diego Air Pollution Control District revealed that, just in August 2024, a spillage of 300,000 gallons of wastewater caused 150 reports at the border. As of this date, no municipal or state authority has made any comments regarding an action plan or solution to this problem.