A flowing crisis and its human toll: Addressing environmental challenges in contaminated river systems

Abstract

Background: The Citarum River, which spans 300 km in West Java, Indonesia, plays an important role as a water source for more than 30 million people as well as supporting irrigation, industry, and hydropower generation. However, in recent decades, the river has faced serious pollution from human activities, particularly industrial, domestic, and agricultural waste. Industrial effluents, particularly from the textile and manufacturing sectors, contain harmful chemicals such as heavy metals and synthetic dyes that contaminate water quality. Domestic and agricultural effluents add to the pollution load with microplastics, pesticides, and organic matter that cause eutrophication. Methods: River water quality observations showed significant variations in temperature, pH, DO, BOD, and COD at several observation stations. Findings: The impact of this pollution extends to public health, triggering illnesses such as diarrhea and heavy metal exposure, which can damage nerves and increase the risk of cancer. From an environmental perspective, pollution of the Citarum River damages the ecosystem and threatens biodiversity, including endemic species that depend on the river. These data confirm serious pollution, which requires more efforts to address the environmental and health problems it causes. Conclusion: Serious pollution in the Citarum River has led to environmental degradation and public health risks. Immediate and effective mitigation efforts are required to restore water quality and protect affected communities and ecosystems. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study highlights the combined impact of industrial, domestic, and agricultural pollution on both human health and biodiversity.