Bekasi River Polluted Again, Water Turns Black and Foamy

The Bekasi River in West Java is suspected of being polluted again. The water in the river has turned black and is emitting foam and odour.

In a video circulating on social media, large amounts of foam can be seen covering part of the Bekasi River’s surface. Additionally, the water in the Bekasi River, located in Bekasi City, appears blackened.

Residents reported that an unpleasant smell was also emanating from the river water. This incident marks yet another occurrence of suspected pollution in the Bekasi River.

Head of the Bekasi City Environmental Agency, Kiswatiningsih, said that handling of the Bekasi River pollution is being carried out by the central government through the Ministry of Environment and by regional governments through their environmental agencies.

“Currently, the handling of the Bekasi River pollution is being carried out by the Ministry of Environment, involving the Bogor Regency Environmental Agency, the Bekasi City Environmental Agency, and the West Java Provincial Environmental Agency,” said Kiswatiningsih on Thursday (20/8/2026).

The Bekasi City regional water utility, Tirta Patriot, also posted footage of the suspected pollution in the Bekasi River. In the uploaded video, the change in colour of the Bekasi River appears to have a wide-reaching impact.

“In connection with the raw water condition of the Bekasi River experiencing a decline in quality standards, this has impacted production at the Teluk Buyung Water Treatment Plant, and the supply of clean water to Perumda Tirta Patriot customers has become less than optimal,” Tirta Patriot stated on its Instagram account @tirtapatriot.