Pollutants

Characterisation of Local Pollution Sources by Province in the Bogotá River Watershed (Adapted from Environment & Society Portal, 2014)

The Bogotá River is considered one of the most contaminated rivers in the world. Pollution occurs throughout the Río Bogotá watershed, with the mid-basin, where the city of Bogotá is located, having the poorest water quality. The city of Bogotá contributes to most of the pollution (90%) of the Bogotá River. Around 90% of the pollution in the river originates from the three main tributaries within the city: Salitre, Fucha, and Tunjuelo. The city produces 16,000 litres of wastewater per second, of which only 25% (4,000 litres) is treated. The remaining wastewater is discharged directly into the Bogotá River without treatment. Domestic waste makes up 76% of the total pollution discharged into the river by the city. Pollutants include household waste (detergents, grease, sewage), industrial chemicals and heavy metals (chromium, lead, mercury, tannery waste), and solid waste (construction debris, tyres, scrap wood, general trash). (Environment & Society Portal, 2014).

Summary: The Bogotá River is one of the most contaminated in the World and spans six provinces, yet receives nearly 90% of its pollution from the city of Bogotá alone

Bibliography

Environment & Society Portal. (2014). Waste and water pollution. [online] Available at: https://www.environmentandsociety.org/exhibitions/water-bogota/waste-and-water-pollution.