Greta Jimenez
The Pasig River, one of the main rivers of the Philippines, has been the primary dumping ground for the country's capital, Manila's, 13 million residents. In 1990, ecologists declared the river biologically dead due to the sheer amount of plastic waste and household and industrial waste dumped into it. Decades later, the river continues to be a dumping ground for bodies, suspected to be victims of President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs. Despite award-winning clean-up efforts, the Pasig River remains one of the most polluted rivers in the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| River length | 25.2 km |
| Average width | 91 m |
| Depth | 0.5-5.5 m |
| Causes of pollution | Household waste, industrial waste, solid waste, plastic waste, human remains |
| Action plan | San Miguel Corp. (SMC) aims to remove 600,000 tons of silt and solid waste over 5 years |
| Cleanup efforts | The ICTSI Foundation has partnered with Riverrecycle Oy to introduce a sustainable river waste collection system |
| Status of aquatic life | Declared "biologically dead" in 1990, but some stretches are showing a return of aquatic life |
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What You'll Learn
- The Pasig River is the world's most polluting river when it comes to plastic waste
- % of the pollution comes from household waste
- Industries located near the river contribute 30% of pollutants
- The river is heavily silted, reducing its capacity to absorb and channel water
- Cleanup efforts have been made to rehabilitate the river
The Pasig River is the world's most polluting river when it comes to plastic waste
The Pasig River, one of the Philippines' main rivers, was once admired for its beauty. However, since the end of World War II, the river has been a dumping ground for pollution, produced by the ten million inhabitants of Metro Manila. The river's pollution is attributed to a combination of household waste and industrial activities.
The Pasig River is now considered one of the world's top plastic polluters, with plastic debris ranging from 0.28 to 0.75 MMT per year. According to a study, the river is the world's most polluting river when it comes to plastic waste, with an estimated 63,000 tons of plastic entering the oceans annually. This accounts for 21% of the organic waste flow into Manila Bay, with 70% of this waste coming from households.
The river's pollution is not limited to plastic waste; it also includes wastewater, solid waste, and heavy metal pollutants from nearby industries. The river's dark-coloured water, unpleasant smell, and presence of floating faeces are testament to its degradation. The river has earned the nickname, the "toilet bowl" of Manila, a far cry from its former glory.
Despite the dire situation, there are efforts to rehabilitate the river. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Pasig River Coordinating and Management Office (DENR-PRCMO) has made significant progress, removing over 1,600 tons of waste and water hyacinth from the river and its tributaries. The PRCMO deploys "River Warriors" to maintain the river system through daily clean-up operations. Additionally, the Pasig City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Pasig CENRO) has conducted regular river and estuary clean-ups, resulting in positive outcomes.
The Pasig River's pollution is a pressing issue, impacting not just the environment but also the reputation of the Philippines. With concerted efforts and a commitment to reducing plastic waste, there is hope for the river's revitalization and a greener future for the nation.
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65% of the pollution comes from household waste
The Pasig River in the Philippines is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. It was once admired for its beauty, but since the end of World War II, the river has been the primary recipient of pollution produced by Metro Manila's inhabitants. The population along the river has continued to grow, but the country's ability to manage waste disposal has not kept up.
An estimated 65% of the river's pollution comes from household waste. In a developing country where many homes lack indoor plumbing, the river becomes a dumping ground for wastewater. The river's annual average volume of water flowing into Manila Bay is 6.6 million cubic meters, and it is estimated that 440 tons of wastewater are produced daily by the citizens of Metro Manila. The river has earned the nickname of Manila's "toilet bowl".
The high levels of household waste contribute to the river's dark-coloured water, unpleasant smell, and presence of floating faeces. The river can no longer sustain life, except for janitor fish and water lilies. The vast majority of the population uses flush toilets connected to septic tanks, and most wastewater is discharged untreated due to the rarity of sewage treatment plants. This untreated wastewater significantly contributes to the river's pollution.
The Pasig River also faces pollution from industrial waste, accounting for about 30% of river pollutants. Industries located near the river generate significant pollution, including heavy metal pollutants such as nickel, which even their own water treatment facilities cannot remove. The river's pollution has severe ecological consequences, with fish migration from Laguna de Bay diminishing as early as the 1930s.
Efforts to rehabilitate the river have been made, and the national government has recognised the problem since 2004, introducing sustainable water development management. In 2009, the Kapit-Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig project was launched, and the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission was established to address waste management and resettling of squatters. In 2006, the first wetland complex was built in Bayawan City to provide safe water and sanitation to families living in informal settlements.
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Industries located near the river contribute 30% of pollutants
The Pasig River in the Philippines is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. It is the primary river supporting Metro Manila, the capital city of Manila, and its surrounding metropolis. Since World War II, the river has been the primary recipient of pollution produced by the city's ten million inhabitants. The population along the river has continued to grow, but the country's ability to cope with waste disposal has not kept up.
The Pasig River has suffered from neglect and industrial development, resulting in a rapid decline in the second half of the 20th century. By the 1970s, the river started to emit offensive smells, and in the 1980s, fishing was prohibited. It was declared biologically dead in 1990.
The river's pollution is largely due to garbage, untreated sewage, and industrial waste. Industries located near the river contribute about 30% of the pollutants. These industries include tanneries, textile mills, food processing plants, distilleries, and chemical and metal plants. Many of these industries lack adequate water treatment facilities to remove heavy metal pollutants such as nickel.
The pollution in the Pasig River has severe consequences for the environment and local communities. The river can no longer sustain most forms of life, with only janitor fish and water lilies surviving in its waters. The river has also become a breeding ground for invasive species, such as the water hyacinth, which clogs the waterways. The high levels of pollution in the river have also impacted the fishing and tourism industries and caused serious health problems for those living nearby.
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The river is heavily silted, reducing its capacity to absorb and channel water
The Pasig River, one of the main rivers of the Philippines, has suffered from severe pollution and neglect since the end of World War II. With a length of approximately 27 kilometres, an average width of 91 metres, and depths ranging from 0.5 to 5.5 metres, the river has been a recipient of massive pollution from the ten million inhabitants of Metro Manila. The river has been used as a dumping ground for household waste and untreated domestic and industrial sewage, with an estimated 65% of its pollution coming from these sources. This has led to the river becoming heavily silted and reducing its capacity to absorb and channel water effectively.
The high levels of pollution in the Pasig River have resulted in its degradation and loss of biodiversity. By the 1960s, people stopped using the river's water for daily activities due to increasing pollution levels. In the 1980s, fishing in the river was prohibited, and in 1990, the river was declared biologically dead by the Danish International Development Agency. At that time, the river could no longer support any life except for janitor fish and water lilies.
The Pasig River has also been affected by industrial waste, with approximately 30% of its pollutants originating from industries located close to the river. These industries, such as tanneries, textile mills, food processing plants, distilleries, chemical, and metal plants, discharge their wastes into the river, contributing to the high levels of pollution. The accumulation of pollutants in the river has led to the build-up of silt and solid waste, reducing the river's capacity to absorb and channel water.
In recent years, efforts have been made to rehabilitate and revive the Pasig River. The Pasig River Rehabilitation Program (PRRP) was established in 1989 with the support of Danish authorities and local organisations. The program aimed to remove waste, improve water flow, and restore the river's ecological function. The San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has also taken on the task of cleaning up the river, with a focus on extracting silt and solid waste to enhance water flow and reduce flooding risks.
The river's heavy siltation has been a significant challenge in the rehabilitation process. The SMC's five-year plan includes extracting 50,000 metric tons of silt and solid waste per month from the river, utilising advanced and specialised equipment. This effort is supported by various government departments and local government units, demonstrating a collaborative approach to addressing the river's pollution and siltation issues.
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Cleanup efforts have been made to rehabilitate the river
Cleanup efforts have been made to rehabilitate the Pasig River, which has suffered from pollution and degradation over the years. The river, which flows through Manila, has been used as a dumping ground for household and industrial waste, leading to its deterioration and the loss of aquatic life.
One of the significant initiatives is the river rehabilitation project led by San Miguel Corp. (SMC). SMC aims to remove 600,000 tons of silt and solid waste from the river annually over the next five years. By doing so, they intend to increase the river's capacity to contain water during heavy rains and reduce flooding in the surrounding areas. The company is collaborating with various government departments, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), to achieve this goal.
Additionally, the ICTSI Foundation has partnered with Riverrecycle Oy, a Finnish company, to introduce a sustainable river waste collection system. They have allocated $1 million for the implementation of Rivercycle, which is expected to collect between 70 to 200 tons of plastic waste per day. The collected plastic waste will be converted into oil and then back into plastic. This initiative complements the existing rehabilitation efforts and demonstrates a commitment to restoring the river's health.
The Pasig River has also received recognition as part of the largest-ever river rehabilitation project in the country. This project involves extracting 50,000 metric tons of silt and solid waste per month, or 600,000 metric tons annually, using advanced and specialized equipment. The project is supported by multiple government departments, including the Department of Environment, Public Works, and Local Government, as well as the Philippine Coast Guard. Despite these efforts, the decades of pollution and complex issues remain challenging to overcome entirely.
While the river was declared "biologically dead" in the 1990s, recent award-winning cleanup efforts have shown promising results. Some stretches of the river have witnessed a return of aquatic life, indicating a positive impact on the ecosystem. These rehabilitation projects and initiatives provide hope for the revival of the Pasig River and the restoration of its once-praised beauty.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Pasig River is still polluted. It is considered the world's most polluting river when it comes to plastic waste.
The Pasig River has been the primary recipient of pollution produced by Metro Manila's inhabitants. It is estimated that 60%-65% of the pollution comes from household waste, with the rest originating from industrial waste and solid waste.
San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has initiated a plan to remove 600,000 tons of silt and solid waste from the river over the next five years. Additionally, the ICTSI Foundation has partnered with Riverrecycle Oy to introduce a sustainable river waste collection system, aiming to collect between 70 to 200 tons of plastic waste per day.
