Copyright Newsweek
A boom stretching along the Tijuana River that recently stopped approximately 20 tons of debris from entering California in just over an hour during a rainstorm could see its funding extended, and more systems like it could be introduced in the coming years. Why It Matters There have been longstanding health and environmental concerns regarding the flow of sewage, trash and contaminated water into the U.S. from Mexico. Media outlet BorderReport revealed last week that the 1,200-foot system stopped 20 tons of trash flowing downriver in October, after the same system had stopped 500 tons during the last rainy season. What To Know The specialized trash boom system, developed and implemented by Alter Terra—a nonprofit coastal and marine ecosystem conservation organization—was funded by the California Water Quality Control Board and is managed by the Rural Community Assistance Corporation, Alter Terra director Oscar Romo told Newsweek. “Since its deployment in October 2024, the system has demonstrated exceptional performance. During the intense 2024-2025 storm season (which concluded in June 2025), it captured approximately 500 tons of trash, achieving a remarkable capture rate of nearly 100 percent,” Romo said in an email. The booms are located in the Tijuana River Valley, around a quarter-mile downstream from the U.S.-Mexico border. Romo explained that after each major storm, the accumulated debris is cleared from the river, temporarily stored, and subsequently transported for final disposal to one of three landfills in Chula Vista, National City, or Miramar. Following the scheme’s success so far, Romo told Newsweek that plans are in active development to expand the trash capture infrastructure in the future. “We are discussing the installation of additional systems within the coastal canyons that connect the Tijuana River Valley with the city of Tijuana,” Romo said. “Ambitious plans are also being discussed to install systems across the border in the main channel of the Tijuana River, leveraging international cooperation to address pollution at its source.” What People Are Saying Oscar Romo said in an email to Newsweek: “The system's design is highly specific to the valley's unique conditions, utilizing several hydrological models to ensure effectiveness. It comprises 160 individual hydrodynamic modules engineered to adapt seamlessly to both dynamic water flows and topographical shifts within the river channel.” Conservation nonprofit American Rivers on the Tijuana River: “The Tijuana River is known for its communities on both sides of the U.S./Mexico border as well as stunning beaches, world-class surf breaks and diverse wildlife. This region, however, has been plagued with severe pollution for decades. Every day, millions of gallons of contaminated stormwater, sewage, harmful chemicals, and trash flow down the river into the Pacific Ocean.” What Happens Next Romo said that permits for the boom have been extended through December 2027, and that Alter Terra anticipates another extension through the end of the 2028-2029 storm season “based on securing future funding.”
