Help Inform the Tijuana River Sewage Crisis Economic Impact Study
We are gathering input from residents, workers, businesses, and community members to better understand how the sewage crisis has affected the regional economy.
About the Study
The Tijuana River Sewage Crisis Economic Impact Study is focused on understanding the economic impacts of the Tijuana River sewage crisis on the Tijuana River Valley and nearby communities. More specifically, this study is evaluating how ongoing sewage contamination, beach closures, and related pollution have affected local businesses, tourism, jobs, property values, schools, and public costs over time.
The goal of this work is to build a clearer picture of what this crisis has cost the region, especially for the communities that have been most directly affected. This study is about the economic consequences of the crisis—what people, businesses, and communities have lost or had to cope with because of it. The purpose of the study is to provide a strong, evidence-based understanding of these economic impacts to help inform future funding and mitigation efforts.
Many organizations are focused on addressing the Tijuana River sewage crisis, including the County of San Diego, which has also commissioned other related studies, including an epidemiological study. For more information on the other ongoing efforts, please refer to the County of San Diego Website.
Key Project Action Steps
Why Your
Input
Matters
The Tijuana River Sewage Crisis Economic Impact Study uses both quantitative and qualitative research. Data can show important trends, but it does not always capture the full human and community impact of the sewage crisis. For this reason, we are conducting several surveys to gather input from residents, workers, businesses, and community organizations. This input is essential to help us understand lived experiences, identify impacts that may not appear in available datasets, and ensure the final study reflects conditions on the ground. Your perspective helps make this work more accurate, more complete, and more useful.
FAQ
Questions about the Tijuana River Sewage Crisis Economic Impact Study
Question
What kinds of impacts is this study looking at?
The study is focused on economic impacts. This can include effects on jobs, businesses, tourism, property values, schools, recreation, and other costs experienced by households, communities, and public agencies.
Question
What is this study not about?
This study is not a cleanup plan, an infrastructure design project, or a public health study. It is focused specifically on understanding the economic consequences of the crisis. For other studies, please see the County website.
Question
Why are you asking for community input?
Community input helps fill in the gaps that numbers alone cannot explain. It gives important context, helps validate what the data show, and makes sure the study reflects real experiences on the ground.
Question
What are the surveys for?
These surveys are part of the broader study examining the economic impacts of the Tijuana River sewage crisis. The goal is to better understand how the crisis has affected communities, households, workers, and businesses.
Question
Who should take a survey?
Residents, workers, business owners, visitors, community organizations, and others who have been affected by the sewage crisis are encouraged to participate.
Question
Will my response make a difference?
Yes. Every response helps build a fuller picture of how the sewage crisis is affecting the region. Community perspectives are a critical part of making the study more accurate and more useful.
Question
How will my responses be used?
Your responses will be analyzed along with other research, data, and community input. Your responses will remain confidential and will be reported only in aggregate form.
The Survey
The survey should take somewhere between 5 and 20 minutes to complete (depending on the survey you select - see below). You will be asked questions about how the sewage crisis may have affected you, your household, your work, your business, or your community. Most questions are multiple choice, but there are opportunities for general, unstructured feedback within each survey.
Your responses will help inform the broader study of the economic impacts of the Tijuana River Sewage Crisis. The survey is just one part of the process and will be considered alongside other research, data, and community input. Your responses will remain confidential and will be reported only in aggregate form. The surveys will remain open for approximately four weeks.
You should take a survey if you are someone who:
Owns, operates, or manages a business in the affected area
Lives, works, or regularly spends time in the affected area
Recently visited the affected area
Works for an organization that represents the community or businesses in the affected area
Goal of this survey:
to understand how the pollution crisis is affecting business operations, demand, and revenue.
Goal of this survey:
to understand how the pollution crisis is affecting daily life, recreation, and household choices for people that live, work, or regularly spend time in the area.
Goal of this survey:
to understand how the pollution crisis is affecting visitor experiences and travel choices for people visiting from outside the area.
Goal of this survey:
to understand similar details captured in the other surveys, but as observed by organizations that represent the community or businesses in the area.
Please choose the survey that most closely applies to you. You may take multiple surveys if more than one is relevant to you (e.g., you are both a community member and a local business owner).