Home / Environment / Trash Boom Intercepts 20 Tons of Debris from Tijuana River in Just Over an Hour
Trash Boom Intercepts 20 Tons of Debris from Tijuana River in Just Over an Hour
7 Nov
Summary
- Trash boom in Tijuana River stopped 20 tons of debris from entering California
- Boom managed by binational nonprofit Alter Terra to address pollution concerns
- Over last rainy season, the boom intercepted 500 tons of trash
On October 7, 2025, a 1,200-foot trash boom in the Tijuana River intercepted approximately 20 tons of debris from entering California in just over an hour during a rainstorm. The device, managed by the binational ecosystem conservation nonprofit Alter Terra, is secured in place across the river with 120 tons of concrete to prevent it from drifting away.
Over the last rainy season, the boom successfully intercepted 500 tons of trash from the Tijuana River, which carries not only water but also sewage and millions of gallons of untreated waste from Mexico into the U.S. before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. This has led to repeated beach closures in communities like Coronado and Imperial Beach due to the contamination.
Alter Terra's director, Oscar Romo, stated that all the trash collected by the boom originates from Mexico. He expects even more debris to be intercepted this rainy season, as the river's pollution crisis continues to plague the region. The trash boom will remain in place through next spring to address this ongoing environmental threat.
