River pollution high in C. Lampung

BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: Four tapioca factories have allegedly dumped hundreds of metric tons of waste into Pegadungan River flowing through Central Lampung.

Gusmarwan of the Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) said here on Wednesday the river was heavily polluted with effluent from the factories.

The factories are PT Sentral Intan, PT Sago Tiga Kembang, PT Eka Inti Tapioka and PT Sakti Buana.

About 500 nearby residents had lodged several complaints with the local administration but there was no response, he was quoted as saying by Antara.

"Many staff members of the local administration have visited and checked the river pollution, but nothing has been done to stop the pollution," Gusmarwan said.

He said the riverwater was no longer potable because of the contamination. (edt)