Local leaders return from D.C., optimistic about Imperial Beach sewage crisis

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina were in Washington, D.C. this week to try to get federal help to stop sewage and pollution from coming into Imperial Beach from Tijuana.

The beaches in the area are closed an average of 300 days per year because of unsafe bacteria levels in the Pacific Ocean flowing readily from Tijuana.

Local leaders tried to persuade federal authorities to fund a more than $400-million plan to treat the pollution. After the gathering, Dedina and others said they felt optimistic about their chances of securing the funding.