A persistent sewage pollution problem in Imperial Beach is disrupting local recreation, forcing a surf camp to bus children to cleaner beaches and prompting junior lifeguard programs to relocate up the coast, according to CalMatters.

The contamination stems from cross-border flows that have long fouled the waters near the San Diego County community, an issue that has drawn attention to the aging and overwhelmed wastewater infrastructure serving the region.

For contractors, the ongoing crisis underscores the scale of treatment and conveyance improvements needed along the southern coastline. Federal and state efforts to address transboundary sewage have historically involved upgrades to treatment plants and collection systems near the border.

Firms working in water and wastewater construction should watch for public funding tied to remediation of the Tijuana River watershed and related facilities, which could translate into future public-works opportunities in San Diego County.