The County of San Diego and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are launching a second survey to evaluate community health impacts tied to the ongoing Tijuana River sewage and pollution crisis, a study aiming to revisit conditions first documented by the county during a 2024 survey.
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The Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) survey will take place from Sept. 17 through Sept. 19, the county announced Wednesday. County and CDC teams will walk neighborhoods in and around the Tijuana River Valley to document continued health concerns, track any changes since 2024 and identify additional avenues of support for affected households.
The county said teams will visit randomly selected households Thursday, Sept. 17, and Friday, Sept. 18, between 2 and 7 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The survey carries no cost to the county, as it is being conducted in partnership with the federal CDC — consistent with the 2024 assessment. The county anticipates reaching out to 480 households as part of the effort.
County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre said in a statement that it is vital to hear directly from the people experiencing public health impacts.
“Our neighbors’ experiences and stories provide critical insight and information that will help guide the County of San Diego and our federal partners in tackling the sewage pollution,” Aguirre said. “South San Diego’s health and experiences matter, and I encourage every neighbor to make their voice heard by participating in the CASPER survey.”
Interviews for the survey will take roughly 20 minutes, with participation being voluntary and anonymous. The county said staff will be clearly identifiable with badges and reflective vests, including bilingual English-Spanish interviewers.
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The first CASPER survey, conducted in October 2024, found widespread health concerns residents believed were linked to sewage contamination, including headaches, nausea, cough and throat irritation. Just under half of households reported at least one health symptom caused by the crisis, and most respondents with chronic conditions such as asthma, allergies and migraines said their symptoms had worsened.
That survey also found 71% of households believed their tap water was unsafe to consume, and 67% used bottled water as their primary drinking source. Mental health impacts were also widespread, with just under 60% of households reporting increased stress and 63% reporting signs of emotional distress such as anxiety and isolation.
The county noted this CASPER survey is separate from the Assessment of Chemical Exposures, a non-randomized online health survey conducted with federal partners in 2024.
County Public Health Officer Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan said the follow-up assessment is an important step in tracking progress.
“Hearing from a new sample of representative families will help us continue to validate and respond to the community’s experiences,” Thihalolipavan said in a statement. “By comparing this assessment to the one from 2024, we can better identify what is working and what more needs to be done to support our South Bay neighbors.”
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