The Citarum River's Pollution History: A Timeline Of Events

The Citarum River in Indonesia is considered one of the most polluted rivers in the world. Decades of pollution have contaminated the water with chemicals, heavy metals, toxins, and rubbish. The river's pollution is primarily attributed to the discharge of industrial waste, particularly from textile factories located along its banks. In 2018, the Indonesian government initiated a seven-year river revitalisation program, recognising the urgency to restore the Citarum River's health and the immense challenges posed by industrial and human activity.

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The Citarum River is the third-largest river in Java, Indonesia

The Citarum River, more accurately called the Tarum River, is the third-longest river in Java, Indonesia. It is the longest river in West Java, stretching 297 kilometres before reaching the Java Sea. The Citarum River has been noted for being considered one of the most polluted rivers in the world.

The river has been polluted by human activity, with over 2,000 industries contaminating 5,020 square miles of the river with lead, mercury, arsenic, and other toxins. The most dangerous pollution comes from the Indonesian textile industry, with many textile factories discharging enormous amounts of chemical waste directly into the river. The river contains high levels of lead, aluminium, manganese, and iron, which are above the international average and far exceed the US Environmental Protection Agency's drinking water standards.

The pollution in the Citarum River has had severe impacts on the health and livelihoods of those living in the surrounding areas. Many people suffer from various skin diseases, respiratory distress, and other health issues due to the polluted water and inhalation of factory smoke. The river was once a source of income for fishermen, but the fish population has significantly decreased due to pollution, and fishing is now largely practised to collect garbage rather than fish.

Recognising the severity of the issue, the Indonesian government, in collaboration with organisations like Greenpeace, the International Monetary Fund, and the Asian Development Bank, has implemented a seven-year cleaning programme for the Citarum River. The programme includes reforestation efforts, the extraction of toxic sediment, the prohibition of factories from discharging wastewater without filtration, and environmental education projects. The goal is to restore the river to clean drinking-water status and revitalise the ecosystem.

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It is considered one of the most polluted rivers in the world

The Citarum River in Indonesia is considered one of the most polluted rivers in the world. The river stretches for 300 kilometres and is relied upon by millions of people for their ecosystem services. It is a source of clean water for Bandung and provides 80% of the water supply for the capital. It also irrigates 400,000 hectares of rice fields and supplies 25 million people with drinking water.

However, the river has been severely polluted by industrial and chemical waste, as well as household waste. In 2013, a study by the Blacksmith Institute found that levels of lead in the river were 1,000 times worse than US standards for drinking water. The river has also been contaminated with aluminium, manganese, and iron since 2002 and has never met the water quality standards set by the Indonesian government.

The pollution in the Citarum River has had significant impacts on the environment and human health. The number of fish species in the river has decreased by 60% since 2008, and people living along the river have reported skin diseases, respiratory distress, and other health issues due to the polluted water. The rice fields irrigated by the river have also seen reduced yields, and the river contains so little oxygen that it is essentially a "death river".

Despite past failed attempts to clean up the river, there are ongoing efforts to address the pollution in the Citarum River. In 2018, the Indonesian government initiated a seven-year cleansing program, with the goal of making the river water drinkable by 2025. The program involves reforestation, extraction of toxic sediment, prohibition of factories from discharging wastewater, and environmental education projects. It is supported by the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank, which committed $500 million to fund the river's rehabilitation.

Pollution sources include industrial waste, chemical pollution, and domestic waste

The Citarum River in Indonesia has been severely polluted since at least 2002, with a Blacksmith Institute study from 2013 finding pollution from lead, aluminium, manganese, and iron. The primary sources of pollution are industrial waste, chemical pollution, and domestic waste.

Industrial Waste

The Citarum River is home to approximately 1,900 industries, many of which are textile factories specialising in dying textiles for Western companies. It is estimated that 90% of these factories do not have adequate waste treatment facilities, resulting in 34,000 tons of untreated textile runoff being disposed of into the river each year. This runoff often contains high concentrations of toxic heavy metals, including lead, mercury, iron, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, and manganese. These toxic chemicals have turned the once clear and pristine river into a dumping ground for industrial waste, with the water coloured and covered in trash, waste, and dead animals.

Chemical Pollution

The excessive amount of toxic chemicals dumped into the river by industries has led to severe chemical pollution. Lead levels in the river have been reported to be 1,000 times higher than US drinking water standards, posing a significant health risk to the local communities who rely on the river as their primary source of water. Other pollutants include aluminium, manganese, and iron, which have been present in the river since at least 2002.

Domestic Waste

Domestic waste, including degradable and non-biodegradable rubbish, is often stored along the banks of the Citarum River. These trash piles can grow too large and spill over into the river, further polluting the water. Additionally, the burning of rubbish in large fires releases toxins into the air, causing a fatal increase in tuberculosis and bronchitis among locals. The poorest individuals along the river often scavenge for plastics, collecting recyclable bottles and packaging to exchange for goods or services.

Efforts to clean up the river include reforestation, wastewater treatment, and government initiatives

The Citarum River in Indonesia has been severely polluted for many years, with high levels of lead, aluminium, manganese, and iron. The water quality has been rapidly decreasing over the past two decades, posing health risks to the 25 million people who depend on it and causing environmental damage. However, efforts are being made to clean up the river and improve the situation.

One of the key initiatives is reforestation. It is estimated that reforestation will require 125 million trees, including 25 million hardwood plants and 100 million shrubs, to be planted in the vicinity of the river. Reforestation is critical to preventing floods, which are often caused by clogged garbage and overflowing rivers due to deforestation. The Indonesian government's Citarum Harum program, launched in 2018, includes reforesting surrounding mountains and regulating wastewater discharge.

Wastewater treatment is another crucial aspect of cleaning up the Citarum River. The river receives approximately 340,000 tons of wastewater daily, mostly from 2,000 textile factories. The Citarum Harum program aims to address this issue by installing wastewater treatment facilities. Local communities, experts, and academics are also working together to co-design and test solutions for capturing and treating wastewater.

Government initiatives have played a significant role in the cleanup efforts. In 2018, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo declared a seven-year Citarum cleansing program, with the goal of making the river's water drinkable by 2025. The program is supported by the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank, which committed $500 million for the river's rehabilitation. The government has deployed thousands of personnel, led by the Indonesian Army, to clear garbage from the river and bring plant life back to the surrounding lands.

In addition to these efforts, education and recycling projects are also being implemented by local authorities and communities. The Asian Development Bank has partnered with local governments and the Ministry of Health to support community initiatives that promote both recycling and education at the village level. These initiatives aim to address the sources of contamination and create a model of sustainable water management for the Citarum River.

The river's pollution has had significant environmental, economic, and health impacts

The Citarum River in Indonesia has been severely polluted for over two decades. With 2,000 industrial facilities along its 300-kilometre stretch, the river has become a dumping ground for industrial waste, sewage, and solid waste. The river's pollution has had significant environmental, economic, and health impacts, affecting the ecosystem, local communities, and Indonesia's economy.

Environmental Impacts

The environmental impacts of the Citarum River pollution are extensive. The river contains dangerously low oxygen levels, making it unable to support biological functions or aquaculture. The river's ecosystem has been severely damaged, with fish populations dwindling and rice fields becoming unable to produce sufficient yields. The pollution has also impacted the local bird population, with birds of prey and migratory birds avoiding the area due to the poor water quality.

Economic Impacts

The economic impacts of the river pollution are far-reaching. The loss of fish and decreased crop yields have affected the livelihoods of local fishermen and farmers, forcing some, like Suratmo, to become garbage collectors instead. The pollution has also impacted the potential for water tourism, as the river's aesthetic value has diminished significantly. The World Bank estimates that cleaning up the Citarum River and integrating industrial wastewater treatment could bring economic benefits of up to $280 million annually.

Health Impacts

The health impacts of the river pollution are dire. Local communities who depend on the river for water supply suffer from various skin diseases, including scabies, infections, and ulcerations. Inhaling factory smoke has led to respiratory distress, and the poor water quality has been linked to respiratory issues and certain types of cancers. The pollution has also been associated with deaths in the river ecosystem.

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