San Diego City Wire

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is collaborating with San Diego County public health staff and volunteers to conduct a health assessment in the Tijuana River Valley. This initiative involves interviewing residents about their experiences with sewage pollution in the area.

The project, known as the Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER), aims to gather insights from people living near the Tijuana River Valley. Over several days, interviews will be conducted with 210 households selected randomly from a larger pool of homes. Each block will have seven households chosen for participation.

Dr. Ankita Kadakia, County interim public health officer, emphasized the importance of community involvement: “It is important to hear directly from people who live near the Tijuana River Valley.” Residents are encouraged to engage with interviewers if approached.

Data collected will be analyzed by the County to inform future decisions regarding pollution management in the area. The information gathered could help identify gaps and determine necessary resources and actions.

Dr. Aaron Bernstein, director of CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), highlighted the value of these interviews: “These interviews will provide firsthand insights into how the sewage contamination is impacting the daily lives of residents, helping to inform solutions.”

Efforts to inform residents about this assessment began weeks ago through various channels including door-hangers and social media outreach. The process of bringing CDC's expertise to San Diego commenced in May 2024 when local authorities sought assistance from state health officials.

This CASPER survey marks its first implementation in San Diego County but has been beneficial in other regions previously. Interviews are scheduled over specific dates, conducted by bilingual teams wearing identifiable badges and vests. Participation remains anonymous, ensuring no personal or immigration-related information is collected.

Further details on health concerns related to sewage pollution can be found at sandiegocounty.gov/southregionhealth.