Pekalongan river heavily polluted

Pekalongan river heavily polluted

PEKALONGAN, Central Java: Thousands of people living along the
Banger River can no longer use its water because it is so heavily
polluted.

They reported that the water has turned dark because of
industrial waste.

"Residents now have problems finding clean water for daily
consumption," Darsono, a resident of Sentono village, told
Antara.

He said people have to fetch water from neighboring villages
or buy it from vendors for drinking.

Villagers say that more and more factories have been dumping
their industrial waste directly into the river.

At least three rivers in Pekalongan are now heavily polluted.
In some areas people have reported skin rashes after bathing in
the river, Antara reported. (pan)