Throughout this month The San Diego Union Tribune has been documenting delays in remedying the decades old problem of sewage and urban runoff into San Diego beaches via the Tijuana River. A May 2 deadline for execution of a construction contract was missed, while the government has been criticized for using only the Bajagua company for the project due to its political connections. Meanwhile, the International Boundary and Water Commission suspended all activities related to the sewage treatment plant being built by Bajagua. The San Diego Foundation criticized the U.S. government for being myopically focused on the Bajagua project which is only a partial remedy to the problem.

Sewage from Mexico has long been the cause of beach closures in San Diego, leading to political tensions. Consistent delays and failures by the government in addressing the problem have left many San Diegans pessimistic about the hopes of finding a solution.