Odor Investigations

One of our key responsibilities is enforcing regulations that prevent air pollution from causing public nuisances, including odors that may injure, disturb, or endanger the public’s comfort, health, or safety. These regulations are outlined under SDAPCD Rule 51 and the California Health and Safety Code, Section 41700.

While SDAPCD is dedicated to improving air quality and addressing odor complaints, it's important to note that our agency does not measure or regulate pathogens or disease-causing organisms.

Notice of Violation

During mid-July the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District received hundreds of odor complaints from communities near the Tijuana River Valley. On July 29, 2024, SDAPCD issued Notices of Violation (NOV) (A) (B) to the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) and its contractor, Veolia, alleging violations of SDAPCD Rule 51 and state law. On August 30, 2024, SDAPCD issued subsequent NOVs (A) (B) to the IBWC and its contractor, Veolia, alleging violations of SDAPCD Rule 51 and state law.

The public nuisance odors are primarily attributed to outdated infrastructure and inadequate maintenance at the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant and associated equipment (pump stations and collectors), which are the responsibility of the USIBWC and its contractor. You can view the USIBWC's letters (1), (2) to SDAPCD in response to the Notices of Violation and SDAPCD's response here.

Violations of this nature typically result in monetary penalties, reflecting the severity of the infraction or litigation. Factors such as the extent of harm, the nature and persistence of the violation, the duration of the violation, and efforts to correct the issue will all influence the determination of penalties. Additional information regarding this process be found on our our statutory penalties page.

This is currently an open investigation, and we will provide more information once updates become available.