Title: Pollution in the Tijuana River

 

Author: Kevin Rancik

Abstract: The Tijuana River is a highly polluted river which crosses an international border and has a number of physical and human dimensions associated with it.  Its water is not used for consumption, but many residents in Tijuana, Mexico live within close proximity of its polluted waters.  Large maquiladora factories, upstream agriculture, and neglected colonia settlements contribute to pollution which destroys the river’s water quality.  Current treatment facilities are inadequate, and the river releases water into the Pacific Ocean with extraordinarily high turbidity and at times ocean-level salinity.  A significant proposed solution is the Bajagua treatment plant which will be built in eastern Tijuana and which is expected to supply Tijuana with reclaimed water in the future.

Key References:

Bajagua, LLC.  (2006).  The Bajagua Project.  Retrieved April 30, 2006, from             http://www.bajagua.com

Center for Latin American Studies.  (2005).  Ten Years After NAFTA: How Has   Globalization Affected Mexico?  Retrieved April 30, 2006, from             http://www.clas.berkeley.edu:7001/index.html

Davis, R.  (2006, March 6).  An ‘Invisible’ Problem.  Voice of San Diego.  Retrieved April 30, 2006, from http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/

International Boundary and Water Commission.  (2006).  International Boundary & Water Commission.  Retrieved March 8, 2006, from
http://www.ibwc.state.gov/

Lee, M. & Rodgers, T.  (2006, February 16).  Agency OKs sewage plant for Mexico.  San Diego Union Tribune.  Retrieved April 30, 2006, from http://www.signonsandiego.com

National Estuarine Research Reserve System.  (2004).  Tijuana River Reserve,             California.  Retrieved March 8, 2006, from             http://nerrs.noaa.gov/TijuanaRiver/welcome.html

 

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Date: May 2006
Student: krancik@willamette.edu
ENVR 327: Water Resources
Instructor: Dr. Karen Arabas
http://www.willamette.edu/~karabas/courses/envr327w