A floating barrier across the Tijuana River just north of the border stops floating trash before it reaches the valley, the estuary, and downstream equipment.
Where it stands (as of September 2026)
- Funded or underway. Installed in November 2024 as a two-season pilot for $4.7 million. In July 2026, the State Water Board approved $2 million more to run it through the 2026–27 storm season.
- It has stopped about 2,000 tons of trash and debris over two storm seasons.
- It only catches floating debris; sewage, dissolved contaminants and sediment pass through. It's still funded as a pilot rather than permanent infrastructure.
Who's responsible
Alter Terra and the Rural Community Assistance Corporation, funded by the State Water Board.
Read more
The Tijuana River trash boom covers how it works, where it falls short, and how to support it.
Related
The trash boom. Technology trials.
Sources
- State Water Board, trash boom funding extended, July 2026
- RCAC, on what the trash boom cannot catch, February 2026