Toxic Sewage Odors Force South Bay Families Indoors During Spring Break

Residents report health issues as hydrogen sulfide levels spike to 15 times the state standard

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:11am

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Families in Otay Mesa, San Diego are struggling to enjoy spring break outdoors due to a sewage crisis that has led to toxic hydrogen sulfide gas levels spiking to 15 times the state standard. Residents like Alyssa Mercer are forced to keep their children inside, unable to go swimming or play outside due to the overwhelming stench and health concerns.

Why it matters

The sewage contamination crisis in the South Bay region has severely disrupted daily life for local families, especially during the spring break period when kids are typically out of school and able to enjoy outdoor activities. This situation highlights the urgent need for infrastructure improvements and environmental remediation to address the public health risks posed by the toxic gas levels.

The details

The Air Pollution Control District has reported that hydrogen sulfide levels in Otay Mesa are 15 times the state's standard, leading to widespread complaints of nausea, fatigue, skin and respiratory irritation from residents. Families like the Mercers are forced to keep their children indoors, even at night when the heat makes it difficult to run air conditioning without circulating the foul odor. The recent heat wave has exacerbated the problem, with the Tijuana River Coalition reporting issues across neighborhoods from Nestor to Coronado.

  • The sewage contamination crisis has been ongoing for several years in the South Bay region.
  • The latest spike in hydrogen sulfide levels occurred during a recent heat wave that rolled through the area.

The players

Alyssa Mercer

A resident of Otay Mesa with a 6-year-old daughter who is unable to enjoy outdoor activities during spring break due to the sewage crisis.

Courtney Baltiyskyy

The vice president of public policy and advocacy with the YMCA of San Diego County, who also helps lead the Tijuana River Coalition.

Tijuana River Coalition

A community organization working to address the sewage contamination issues in the South Bay region.

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What they’re saying

“Once it's like, 6 o'clock, its like, 'OK, this smells too much, we need to come back inside.' At night, it would be really hot, and I can't put the air conditioning on … all you smell is, like, the sewage.”

— Alyssa Mercer, Otay Mesa Resident

“She's a COVID baby. She was born in 2020, and she didn't get to experience a lot of things growing up because of the smell, because of contamination. It's like: What else are you going to take from her?”

— Alyssa Mercer, Otay Mesa Resident

“We are hearing from community members in Nestor, San Ysidro, Imperial Beach and all the way up to Coronado that people are experiencing symptoms like fatigue, nausea, skin and respiratory irritation.”

— Courtney Baltiyskyy, Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy, YMCA of San Diego County

What’s next

The Tijuana River Coalition is hopeful that the newly proposed Senate Bill 50 will set new parameters for community exposure to hydrogen sulfide, which could help address the ongoing sewage crisis in the South Bay region.

The takeaway

This spring break crisis highlights the urgent need for infrastructure improvements and environmental remediation to address the public health risks posed by the toxic sewage contamination in the South Bay. Families should not have to strategize their time outdoors due to such severe air quality issues, especially during school breaks when children should be free to play and explore.