A Department of Defense Inspector General (DoD IG) report has found that Navy SEAL candidates at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, have been training in ocean water contaminated with high levels of bacteria, including fecal matter. This exposure occurred even when public beaches were closed due to health hazards.
Between January 2019 and May 2023, the Navy recorded 1,168 cases of acute gastrointestinal illness among SEAL and Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman candidates. Nearly 40% of these cases occurred within a week of exposure to water that exceeded state safety limits.
The report found that Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) did not follow San Diego County’s Beach and Bay Water Quality Program closure advisories. From February to September 2024, bacteria levels in the water exceeded state safety standards in 76% of tests from the beach north of the base and 75% from the beach south of the base. Despite these conditions, only 12 out of 265 training exercises (5%) were relocated during that time.
The DoD IG recommended that NSWC implement policies to monitor water quality and relocate, reschedule, or cancel training when bacteria levels are too high. It also advised better communication within the command about water conditions.
NSWC acknowledged the concerns but stated that relocating a large portion of water training would be difficult. Capt. Jodie Cornell, an NSWC spokesperson, said the command follows local water quality reports and adjusts training when necessary.
The report highlights long-standing pollution issues in the Coronado area, partly caused by wastewater from Mexico’s Tijuana River Valley. Local officials have called for government action, noting that Coronado beaches have been closed more than half the time over the past two years.
