Imperial Beach is more than just a community shaped by its environment, it’s a tight-knit surf town with a strong working-class identity, anchored by military families who call it home. A recent report from the Department of Defense confirms what local doctors have warned about for years: the Tijuana River is contaminating Imperial Beach, sickening residents, and putting military personnel, including Navy SEALs, at serious risk.
This is not just a local environmental issue; it is a public health crisis and a national concern that puts the readiness of troops at risk.
Toxic Exposure in the Line of Duty
Pollution in the Tijuana River Valley has long plagued South San Diego County. Raw sewage, industrial chemicals, and hazardous waste regularly flow into the waters of Imperial Beach. That toxic brew is where our Navy SEALs train, exposing them to dangerous pathogens and pollutants, including fecal bacteria, contaminated sediment, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals like DDT, Benzidine, and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), which have even been banned in the US. The health impacts from these toxins extend beyond just the SEALs who train in the waters, it affects their families and the broader community. Children are getting sick. Entire households are suffering. Yet still, the pollution flows.
For years, medical professionals have documented respiratory infections, gastrointestinal illnesses, skin rashes, and long-term health problems in personnel exposed to this pollution. Like wildfire smoke, this kind of toxic exposure is invisible, but deeply harmful.
Dr. Kimberly Dickson, a physician in the area who has treated Navy SEALs and their families, said in an article for the San Diego Union-Tribune:
“It’s no surprise to me that Navy SEALs are getting sick from the pollution. I’ve been treating them and their families for years. Common illnesses for those who live, work, or go to school near the Tijuana River include respiratory illness from inhaling hydrogen sulfide fumes, gastrointestinal illness (diarrhea), skin infections, conjunctivitis, and headaches, just to name a few.”
The Defense Department’s findings additionally note that Navy SEALs training in Southern California have reported significant health problems directly tied to waterborne pollution. Our nation’s elite warfighters should not be falling ill on home soil from a neglected and preventable environmental disaster.
The Long-Term Health Risks
Much like the fine particulate matter in wildfire smoke not visible to the human eye, the pollutants in the Tijuana River pose long-term health risks that are only beginning to be understood. Exposure to sewage-borne bacteria and industrial chemicals can lead to chronic respiratory issues, neurological disorders, and potentially even cancer.
For years, local residents have voiced concerns about rashes, asthma flare-ups, and other illnesses following beach visits or storm events. These are not isolated incidents, they are symptoms of a systemic environmental failure.'
Holding Veolia Accountable
The crisis in Imperial Beach is the result of failed oversight and negligence by Veolia, the company contracted to operate, manage, and maintain the South Bay International Water Treatment Plant at Imperial Beach. Veolia is a large international consulting firm that manages public projects for governments and private entities around the world.
Despite receiving millions in federal funding, Veolia has failed to properly manage the facility, leading to over 500 illegal discharges and more than a billion gallons of raw sewage flowing into local waters since 2018. This pollution has triggered the reported public health effects, sickening Navy SEALs, their families, and other local community members, while also harming property values and closing beaches.
How Singleton Schreiber Can Help
At Singleton Schreiber, we fight for communities harmed by environmental negligence and government inaction. We have a proven track record of holding responsible parties accountable, whether it is a utility company that caused a wildfire or a failure of public infrastructure that led to widespread illness.
The lawsuit brought against Veolia by residents and neighbors of the City of Imperial Beach seeks to hold Veolia accountable for years of toxic discharges that have endangered public health and devastated the local environment, including the Navy SEALs who train and live in these communities.
We are monitoring the situation in Imperial Beach and stand ready to support residents, service members, and families affected by this pollution. No one should get sick simply because they live near the ocean. And no military family should be left behind after sacrificing for our country. If you or a loved one has suffered health issues due to exposure to contaminated water, we can help you understand your rights and explore your legal options.