San Diego wants to protect beaches from sewage

SAN DIEGO — San Diego County is hoping to protect its southern beaches by joining a growing legal campaign to force the federal government to do more to stop sewage from spilling over the border from Tijuana.

Imperial Beach, Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego in September filed a notice of intent to sue the U.S. side of the International Boundary and Water Commission. The panel oversees water treaties with Mexico.

The Union-Tribune reports county supervisors voted Tuesday to join the legal action, a week after the city of San Diego did as well.

A massive sewage spill in the Tijuana River fouled beaches in February. Polluted water has continued to regularly flow across the border into the Tijuana River Valley through the river and a system of canyons.