Once a popular destination for families and beachgoers, Imperial Beach in southern California is now barren. The coastal town, located just south of San Diego, is inundated each year by billions of gallons of untreated sewage flowing across the border from Mexico. This ongoing pollution has forced beach closures, polluted the air with unsafe levels of contaminants, and left residents battling severe health issues, according to the Telegraph.

The source of the pollution lies in Tijuana, one of Mexico’s fastest-expanding cities. Since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect in the mid-1990s, the city has grown rapidly. However, infrastructure on both sides of the border has failed to keep pace. The outdated sewage systems, overwhelmed by a population of over 2.3 million, now leak as much as 80 million gallons of wastewater daily into the Pacific Ocean and the Tijuana River, which flows north into the U.S.

 “S— flows downhill,” Dr. Csanadi remarked to the Telegraph. “And we’re downhill.” The pollution has transformed the once-pristine river into a year-round flow of waste and industrial runoff, filled with viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Imperial Beach residents, who now describe their hometown as “Mexico’s toilet,” are suffering the consequences.

The Telegraph lists Dr. Csanadi and his wife, psychologist Marvel Harrison, who moved to the beachfront a decade ago, hoping to settle into a peaceful life by the sea. However, Dr. Harrison has developed a respiratory condition resembling asthma. She now relies on an inhaler and avoids walking the beach on certain days due to breathing difficulties. “We’re a small town with a global problem” she said.

Her husband has battled antibiotic-resistant E. coli infections and persistent sinus issues. Similar health problems are widespread throughout the community, with residents reporting symptoms ranging from migraines and nausea to skin infections and fatigue.

Even Navy SEALs training nearby have reportedly fallen ill with gastrointestinal issues after exposure to polluted seawater. Wildlife has suffered, too—researchers from San Diego State University linked the deaths of several bottlenose dolphins to bacterial infections originating from human waste, adds the Telegraph.

Although access to the ocean has been limited for nearly three years, with warning signs posted every 20 feet along the beach, the danger is not confined to the water. Pollutants are being carried through the air, and many locals describe a noxious odor that blankets the city most nights, typically between midnight and 2 a.m.

Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre has criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom’s handling of the crisis. “He has not done enough,” she said. “And it borderlines on gross negligence that he is actively refusing to help us, despite the overwhelming evidence pointing to the fact that we are really being harmed here. He hasn’t done more than send a letter to [former US president Joe] Biden asking for more funding.”

In response, a spokeswoman for Governor Newsom said the mayor’s criticism was misplaced, noting that border sewage infrastructure falls under federal and international responsibility. She added that Newsom has been a “strong advocate” for the town, securing funding last year to address pollution and holding agencies accountable for timely solutions.

“We call on the Trump Administration to continue to fund repairs and complete infrastructure to protect public health and safety and end this environmental crisis once and for all,” the spokeswoman added.