Six rivers in Gorontalo polluted

Antara News, Sun, March 6 2011

Gorontalo (ANTARA News) - Six big rivers in Gorontalo province had been polluted and dangerous for water consumption due to contamination of toxic susbtances from illegal mining activities around the location,an official said.

The contamination was reported last year by Gorontalo province`s Board of Environment, Research and Technology, Chief of local Environmental Management Affairs Rugaya Biki said here Sunday.

Rugaya said the six polluted rivers were Bone (Bone Bolango district), Biyonga (Gorontalo district), Paguyaman (between Gorontalo and Boalemo district), Buladu (North Gorontalo district), Taluduyunu and Adagila Atingola (Pohuwatu district).

"The upstream, central and downstream parts of the rivers are polluted by mercury from illegal mining activities. Apart from that, we also find `Fecal Coli` bacteria contained in the water," Rugaya said adding that the bacteria emerged as a result of people`s careless habit of throwing garbage into the river.

In respond to this finding, Rugaya suggested people not consume the water of the six polluted rivers anymore. "The water is dangerous for human consumption even if it is cooked first. I also strongly suggest that people not use the water for bathing because it may cause light allergy," she said.

However, Rugaya guaranteed the quality of water processed by the government`s water processing company (PDAM). "Though the water processed comes from the six polluted rivers, certain treatment by the PDAM system makes the water save for consumption," she said.

Editor: Priyambodo RH