Cisadane river severely polluted<\/p>\n
Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang<\/p>\n
Thousands of residents in Tangerang regency living along the
\nbanks of the Cisadane river are at risk to various kinds of
\nillnesses due to the high level of chemical and metal pollution
\nin the river, a report has said.<\/p>\n
Tangerang municipality's water utility, PDAM Tirta Darma, has
\nannounced that based on recent water tests it was found that
\nchemical and metal contaminants, such as manganese, iron, ammonia
\nand sodium, in the river had reached alarming proportions.<\/p>\n
Elga, a member of the production staff at PDAM Tirta Darma,
\nsaid that the hazardous chemicals contained in local tap water
\nwould build up in the human body and the effects would become
\napparent in five years.<\/p>\n
These effects could take the form of skin diseases, digestive
\nproblems, kidney failure and various kinds of cancer.<\/p>\n
Residents living along the riverbanks would be the worst
\naffected as they used Cisadane's water for household purposes,
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
More disturbing was the fact that water from the river
\nnaturally infiltrated into the wells of residents living along
\nthe river, said Elga, who was involved in the study.<\/p>\n
The report is based on tests conducted on the Cisadane's water
\non Aug. 29 from around 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. by a joint team of
\nofficials from the regency's Environmental Agency, Health Agency,
\nTangerang municipality's PDAM Tirta Darma, and Tangerang
\nregency's PDAM Tirta Kerta Raharja.<\/p>\n
The study found that 11 companies producing various products,
\nincluding ceramic goods, fibers, chemicals and textiles, had been
\ndumping liquid waste into the river.<\/p>\n
Muharam, the president of PDAM Tirta Darma, said that due to
\nthe pollution, water purification costs had increased
\nsignificantly, and, if the problem continued, eventually tap
\nwater supply and distribution would be disrupted.<\/p>\n
\"If the pollution problem is not soon taken care of, the
\nresidents will suffer the most,\" he continued. However, he
\nexpressed doubts that the companies would be prosecuted.<\/p>\n
He admitted that his company had not reported the unauthorized
\ndischarges to the police as it had been assumed that the
\nregency's environmental agency would already have reported the
\nincidents.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Cecep Suhendar, the head of the environmental
\nagency's waste control division, told The Jakarta Post that his
\nagency had not yet received the water quality report.<\/p>\n
\"PDAM did the tests, and we have not yet received the results.
\nHow can we follow up on it if we haven't received the report?\" he
\nasked.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/cisadane-river-severely-polluted-1447893297",
"image": ""
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