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

Since July of 2025 the SDAPCD received hundreds of odor complaints from communities near the Tijuana River Valley. The SDAPCD has issued Notices of Violation to the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) and its contractor, Veolia, alleging violations of SDAPCD Rule 51 and state law. Those Notices of Violations were issued on  July 29, 2024  (A) (B), August 30, 2024 (A) (B), and on January 7, 2025 (A) (B).

The public nuisance violations are primarily attributed to outdated infrastructure and inadequate maintenance at the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant and associated equipment (pump stations and collectors),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.

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  statutory penalties page.

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