Table of Potential River Pollutants, Major Sources and Health Effects associated with Exposure
|
Pollutanta |
Major Sourcesa |
Negative Health Effectsb |
|
Heavy Metals (chromium, lead, mercury, copper, cadmium, zinc, selenium) |
Automobile Emissions Atmospheric Deposition Industrial Activities Commercial Activities |
Hemolytic anemia, bone-marrow dysplasia, cancer (different types depending on the metal), kidney damage, skin irritation, circulatory system damage, nervous system damage |
|
Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Oil, grease, petroleum-based products, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) |
Parking Lots and Roads Restaurants Household Activities Automobile Emissions Improper Disposal of Motor Oil and Solvents |
Nervous system disorders, immune system disorders, anemia, depression, liver and kidney damage, cancer, memory loss, nausea, fatigue |
|
Nutrients (Nitrates and Phosphates) |
Fertilizers Animal Waste Detergents Atmospheric deposition Leaking Sewer Pipes |
Reduced oxygen carrying capacity of blood, amyloid (starch) deposits in tissues, spleen hemorrhage, diuresis, bone loss |
|
Toxic Organic Compounds (Pesticides, polychorinated biphenyls (PCB's), dioxin, heptachlor, etc) |
Lawn Care Products Agricultural Use Industrial Uses Household Activities (paints and solvents) Illegal dumping into Storm water drainage | Skin irritation, mucous membrane damage - gastro-intestinal tract, nose, throat, liver dysfunction, cancer, leukemia, reproductive effects, endocrine disorders. |
| Pathogenic Bacteria and Other Microbes (Salmonella, legionella, campylobacter, shigella, cryptosporidia, giardia, cholera, polio, etc.) | Pet and Animal Waste Agricultural Waste Rotting Organic Material Sewage Overflow / Leakage Market and Restaurant waste | Gastroenteritis, diarrhea, nausea, headaches, cramps, hemolytic-uremic syndrome (rare) and even death in immune compromised individuals, very young and very old. |
aMichel, S and C Graizbord: Urban Rivers in Tecate and Tijuana: Strategies for Sustainable Cities, IRSC, 2002: p10-11.
bEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Water, 2002. http://www.epa.gov/safewater/hfacts.html
Water Testing Data for the Tecate River
There are 7 routine water sampling sites established along the Tijuana river watershed, one of which falls in the Tecate Creek. The sampling site is located approximately one mile downstream of the Tecate Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Surface Water Contaminants
Studies of the Tecate River reveal poor water quality. In 2001 significant amounts of heavy metals detected downstream from the city’s wastewater treatment plant. These do not biodegrade, but rather accumulate through the food chain, and may reach toxic levels in biological organisms.
Other studies by SDSU also document high levels of metal and fecal waste into the Tecate River and stress the need for a comprehensive wastewater and storm water management plan (Gersberg 1996). Funds are being sought by the EPA to improve Tecate water and wastewater infrastructure (EPA 2000; USFWS 2000).
Groundwater
As water becomes more scarce and expensive, increased use of groundwater may be considered. Illegal dumping of toxics by industries and businesses in Mexico is difficult to enforce. On the U.S. side, agriculture (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and pesticides) and industrial wastes contribute to the contamination of the basin (EPA 2000).
In 1997 wells in Tecate extracted 6.0 million cubic meters (mcm) and in neighboring Las Palmas 6.5 mcm. San Diego county uses only 3% of its water from wells, and testing shows inadequate drinking quality (EPA 2000). Groundwater quality and quantity is a binational issue which is difficult to quantify (Wakida 1998).
For more detailed water testing information visit: http://www.scerp.org/ca.html
