This led to the foundation of EnvironmentBuddy! It is home to hundreds of thousands of people and a great number of industries. All of the sewage and waste from factories passed untreated into the Pasig. However, the river is slowly being polluted with agriculture and industrial wastes that have made it very poisonous to the plants and animals that live in it. Some recommended products may use affiliate links. The Ohio River is followed by the Mississippi River, which contains 12,739,749 lbs. BodyFuelWaterFilters.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. According to the legend, it is where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land, and the place of Jesus’ baptism. The river contains lead, mercury, and arsenic. It also emits a very bad smell. The Mississippi river flows through the US, being the fourth longest river in the world. The river is already looking like pond scum when in fact this river into the water for agriculture and water for residents in the vicinity. It is the third largest river in the world and it is believed that its water can cleanse the sins of people. The top 10 most polluted rivers in the world have one thing in common – they are located alongside large human populations with poor waste management systems. Ganges River. There are numerous organizations and individuals who are contributing to the preservation of the Mississippi basin. We hope that this list of the most polluted rivers in the world makes you aware of the great magnitude of river pollution. Citarum River is located in West Java, Indonesia. Causes and Effects of Water Contamination, 17 Things You Don’t Want To Hear About Tap Water, 10 Most Polluted Rivers in the World (With Shocking Images), The environmental impact over the years has been devastating. River pollution happens when harmful substances come in contact with water. The course of the Buriganga River is only 11mi long, but the number of people and industries that depend on the river make it one of the most polluted in the world. There have been initiatives led by prominent Indian intellectuals to clean up the river. A report in 2008 claimed that sewage and wastewater discharged into the yellow river in the year 2007 amounted to 4.29 billion tonnes. 10 Most Polluted Countries in the World 1. Sarnus as it is known to the Romans, or the Sarno River, flows from the base of Mt. TOP 10 MOST POLLUTED RIVERS IN THE WORLD 1. Dirtiest rivers: Ganges River. Not only is it one of the most sacred rivers for Indians, but the Ganges also represents a lifeline for millions of those whose daily needs depend on it. If we don’t stop to think about our next step, soon it might be too late. According to Environment Missouri, as many as 13 million pounds of toxic chemicals including Arsenic, Benzene, Nitrates and Mercury were dumped into the Mississippi river in 2010. Mantanza-Riachuelo River, Argentina - The river is located in the Buenos … However, it is also the most polluted river in the US. Although the situation may seem alarming, no country wants to be infamous for having the dirtiest river in the world. Recently, another major contributor to the pollution is the number of refugees who found shelter along the banks of the Jordan River. Its water is anoxic, i.e. The Ohio River won the dishonorable award of being one of the most polluted rivers in the U.S. and one of the most polluted rivers in the world for years in a row. Additional conservation efforts are needed to prevent further pollution of the Yellow River. The Ganges is the most sacred river in India. Polluted with: Industrial waste from local factories and tanneries, including heavy metals, giving it the nickname of “Slaughterhouse River.” It has high levels of arsenic, chromium, copper, zinc, and lead. Raising awareness, not locally but globally, was the mission. Top 10 Most Polluted Rivers in the World Ganges. And the EPA has been fairly good at enforcing the Clean Water Act. The levels of toxins in the Ganges is 3000 times more than the level of toxins considered safe by WHO. They include chemical waste, household waste, medical waste, dead animals, and many more. The Ganges is the most sacred river in India. Furthermore, this is also the ninth largest river by discharge. 2. I have no doubt you want the same for your family. The most polluted rivers in the world Mississippi River. The levels of lead are 1000 times higher than the US legal limit. Do read up on wastewater treatment processes used to ensure clean water comes to your homes. Bangladesh is the most polluted country in the world, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 83.30, down from 97.10 in 2018. The Pasig river passes through the densely populated city of manila. The Yellow River got its name because of yellow sediment loess that gives it the distinct yellow color. The only common denominator is human influence. Due to poor waste management of raw sewage, this river has become extremely polluted. Well, it isn't. The main environmental dangers to the Mississippi River come from industries and agriculture. As you may have guessed, there are a great number of industries located along its banks, making it hard to protect the river. Poor sanitary standards and waste management, especially in the area around Naples, caused an increase in liver cancer cases. It serves many areas of the United States and has some of the most fertile valleys any River can have. The water at its source is clean and can be used by humans. Now the river stands biologically dead. The combination of these factors is responsible for more than 50,000 deaths every year. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In this article you will find out which river is the most polluted river in the US and the unflattering list of the top 10 most polluted rivers in the world. It releases a great number of toxic chemicals directly into the river, causing an array of environmental and health hazards for the people working in the industry. In the Yamuna river, BOD is as high as 50 times the normal level. 15 miles long; Mouth is the tyrrhenian sea; Source is the Sarno; The pollution is the dumping of untreated agriculture and industrial waste; Citarum River in Indonesia. The Yellow River was very important to early Chinese civilization, but due to changing elevation and flooding it has earned nicknames like China’s Sorrow and Scourge of the Han People. River is a source of water for human in a specific area and could also be a source of livelihood for fishermen or also as an alternative transport. There are reports that do a good job of outlining all of the hidden dangers and costs of the Marilao River pollution. The Jordan is a 156mi-long Middle Eastern river. King River is polluted due to mining in the around. Some preservation efforts have been made to protect the river and the ecosystems around it. Over 200 textile factories dump deadly metals including lead, arsenic and mercury into the Citaram. Rivers, usually called “the source of life”, and one of the powerful forces of nature, are fresh water bodies providing food and water to people. Water Pollution is basically contamination of water in flowing in…, Nutrient pollution is of great environmental concern, not just in countries like the United States but also in…. The Ganges, holy to Hindus, has been widely neglected for far too long even though it holds quite the significance in Hindu religion. We have left a permanent mark on river ecosystems and in some case made them completely inhospitable. Ohio River, United States. Although plastic is not the only source of watercourse pollution, it is still a factor in all the world’s most polluted rivers. The Sarno River accumulates water from its two tributaries Solofrana and Cavaiola. Prompt actions need to be taken, or we might find ourselves living in a Mad Max-like world very soon. Here’s a look at the extremes on both sides. The authorities devised The Ganga Action Plan back in 1986, but due to corruption and lack of proper education and equipment it is considered a failure. Wastewater; Types, Causes, Effects, Solutions, Stormwater Management Systems and Solutions. Top 10 Most Polluted Rivers in the World Ganges River. is notorious about hosting a ton of pollutants which made the Central Water Commission to pass out a statement claiming the water was too dangerous to drink or use for agriculture. The other contributors to this pollution are agricultural and industrial wastes. As a mother of two beautiful kids, my husband and I wanted to make sure we promote a healthy lifestyle and ensure a clean water supply. To highlight the issue, the group is releasing its top 10 most threatened rivers, a list that spans the country. With fish populations decreasing, fishermen have turned to recycling plastic. After the Ohio River, the Mississippi river is the most polluted river in the United States and is considered genuinely the most polluted river as it lacks the diluting action of the Ohio River and also due to the recent oil spillage which occurred in the Mississippi river back in 2014. In the past decade, there were some efforts to improve the situation. Article by ayesha rahman, August 22, 2013. There projects to limit the discharge of sewage and industrial waste into the water and those that oxygenate the Matanza River to revitalize its ecosystem. The environmental impact over the years has been devastating, by all accounts enough to make the Ganges the dirtiest river in the world. It runs for 40mi, and the course of the Matanza River is heavily canalized, particularly in the lower parts of the river. The Citarum River landed on the list because of the fact that industries, primarily textile, contribute to major accumulation of toxic waste. Most of the drainage is untreated and the factories release waste directly into the Marilao River without the use of water filters. With a growing population in India, the importance of Ganges is rising everyday with OVER 400 million people depending on it for agriculture, washing clothes, household needs and bathing. Biodiversity; Definition, Types, Importance, Major Threats. There are plenty of pollution problems along the Buriganga River. The industrial revolution and advancements in technology and transportation only made things worse. Experts call it “the most tainted coastal ecosystem in the world”. Important for: The Matanza/Riachuelo River supplies most of the water for the capital city of Buenos Aires, ranked one of the top 10 most toxic sites in the world in 2013. TOP 10 Most Polluted Rivers in the World. Here are the top 10 dirtiest river in the world. Kassidy G. December 9, 2019. 3. World’s Top 10 Most Polluted Rivers: The Names Will Scare You Mississippi River, U.S.A.. A 2012 report by a campaign group, Environment Missouri said that in 2010, about 12.7 million... Sarno River, Italy. of toxic discharges. The awareness of the problem seems to be great, but a more integrated, government-supported effort is needed to achieve long-term results. A wide range of waste including chemicals, chromium metal, 1 billion pounds of plastic, another billion pounds of raw sewage as well as countless human and animal carcasses (some just left to decompose while others cremated)get dumped into the Ganges. The world of rivers is divided. iSpring Water Filter Review WGB32BM 3-Stage, APEX MR-3020 with Activated Alumina Review. However, the biggest polluter of the Buriganga River may be the tanning industry. One of its tributaries, the Yamuna, is the most polluted urban river in the world. Widely considered one of the filthiest rivers, the Ganges in India is undeniably unpleasant, unhealthy and a... Citarum River. The main issue is the increased salinity of the water which makes it unfit for human consumption. Regardless of how we define pollution, Rivers mentioned below have undoubtedly been neglected for a very long time and need to be cleaned up for good. Ganges River, India - The Ganges River is considered the most sacred river in India by the Hindus. Problems increase 10-fold when the marine life ingest the pollutants and those fish are consumed by humans, posing a significant risk of heavy-metal poisoning. The refugee crisis coupled with local population increases is worsening the pollution problems. You may think that the most polluted rivers in the world are located in developing countries. The Mississippi River is among the largest rivers in the world. One of the biggest environmental concerns today is human influence that leads to river pollution. Also known as the Old Ganges, the Buriganga River in Bangladesh, one of the world’s most densely populated countries, suffers from just about every type of pollution imaginable: chemical waste from textile mills and factories of all kinds, domestic garbage, rotting fruit and vegetables, medical waste, sewage, dead animals, plastics and petroleum. Later during my stint in medical school, I realized that many of our health concerns originate from neglecting our environmental responsibilities and this was just not sustainable in the long run. Some parts of the river, closest to the source in the Himalayan Mountains, are clean and reliably provide drinking water. Citarum River, Indonesia. However, steps are being taken by the international community to prevent the situation from escalating. There are international projects that aim to clean and preserve the Marilao River, but they have been met by indifference from some of the locals. The Three R’s: What does Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Mean? Quite a bit of Mississippi’s length has dangerous levels of mercury, PCBs, sediment and other pollutants that make it dangerous for any use, Even swimming! My love for nature is not newfound. This has made a third of yellow river unfit for drinking, agriculture or any household purposes. 9. Although it’s possible that the damage is done and can’t be reversed, but what we can do is try to reduce the damage done. The Buriganga River, or the Old Ganges, is located in Bangladesh and it flows near the outskirts of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. But there are lots of rivers in the world that is contaminated by human actions. Even today, 2.4 billion people lack basic sanitation facilities in the world. The Most Polluted Rivers In the World The Sarno River, Italy . Increased number of factories, poor environmental standards, and lack of proper legislation has made certain rivers in the world not only polluted but outright dangerous to be around. Biochemical Oxygen demand (BOD) refers to the amount of oxygen required by living organisms to break down organic material. Similar to the Buriganga River, the tanneries located along the Marilao River release untreated hexavalent chromium directly into the river. Only when you get 200 km downstream does it start to recover. Another thing contributing to its pollution, besides agriculture and industry, is poor raw-sewage management. Not only is it one of the most sacred rivers for... Citarum River. Top 5 Most Polluted Rivers In the World. However, for a better understanding we need to include other variables into the mix such as the number of people and species being affected by these contaminants. China is at the forefront of economic growth in the world, but at what cost? 45+ Examples, Effects of Pesticides on the Environment and Farmers, Nutrient pollution; Causes, Effects and Solutions. The factors contributing to this are the fast-growing cities and factory discharges. Ganges River; Citarum River; Yellow River; Sarno River; Buringanga River; Marilao River; Mississippi River; Jordan River; Matanza River; Yamuna River; Most Polluted River in the World 2020. The river is already looking like pond scum when in fact this river into the water for agriculture and water for residents in the vicinity. Comparing levels of pollution in different rivers around the world cannot be decided on just the amount of chemical waste being dumped into them. It is a laughing matter to be called a fisherman anymore, to those who live by the banks of, and once depended on fishing in the clear waters of, Indonesia’s Citarum river. But, as of this writing, more things need to be done to remove the Sarno River from this list. Centuries of improper waste management created and still create deposits of garbage on river beds. Citarum River, Indonesia - The Citarum River is known as the most polluted river in the world and is located in West Java, Indonesia. What are the Longest Living Animals? Required fields are marked *, Wastewater is the byproduct of all the household, commercial, industrial activities we carry out in our everyday lives…, Stormwater management is very important for your health and safety as well as for the environment. From rivers to oceans. The river is 2,500 km long and one of the most heavily polluted bodies of water in the world. Ganges River Location: India People have to defecate in fields. Watts WH-LD Review – Get Rid of Dirt and Rust! Did you know that 90% of all Oceans Pollution comes from just 10 rivers, 8 of which are in Asia! Although the High Court of Bangladesh issued a verdict back in 2009, providing a legal framework for protection, the authorities have yet to properly enforce the legislation. Across 186 miles of Indonesian territory runs the Citaram River … The Ganges runs for 1,569mi through India and Bangladesh. 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