The Stench of Prosperity

Industrial Water pollution in the Marilao- Meycauayan River System


Time was when no one would think twice about swimming in the Marilao River in Bulacan. You could jump right in; even catch your dinner in it. Now, parents often admonish their children to keep their mouths close, if, by accident, they fall into the murky river. At no chance must they swallow any water.

Marilao and Meycauayan are first class municipalities in Bulacan, the first province north of Manila. Both towns are prosperous because of their booming industries, notably jewelry- making and tannery. In Meycauauyan alone, there are at least a hundred industrial firms operating at present time. In 2004, there were 22 tanneries, 114 jewelers as well as a few small-scale lead recycling and refining facilities for gold, silver, and other precious metals that were operating around the river system.

But like most rivers used for commerce, the Bulacan River system is in ill health. Industrial waste is haphazardly dumped into the Meycauayan River, a source of drinking and agricultural water supplies for 250, 000 people living in and around this town. It has been identified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as one of the country’s 50 dead rivers due to heavy pollution. Being regularly monitored by the Environment Monitoring Board (EMB), the Marilao and Meycauayan rivers have consistently shown excess levels of dangerous heavy metals chromium, cadmium, and lead. The rivers have also zero dissolved oxygen levels and high levels of organic pollution that can contaminate organisms and decrease biological diversity.

Last year, a New York- based environmental group listed it as among the 30 filthiest places in the world, again due to industrial waste dumping. It puts the river system in Bulacan – the only South East Asian area in the list – in the same league as places like Chernobyl in Ukraine as well as Tianying and Lanfin towns in China.

Dumpsites and a large lead smelting plant, Philippine Recyclers Inc. (PRI), are also located directly beside Meycauayan River. The lead plant, in particular, was the subject of investigation for lead contamination. Effluent samples taken from a discharge canal of the PRI contained lead levels of 190 ppm or 3,8000 times higher than the 0.05 ppm or mg/L standard set for lead in effluent from old and existing industries.

No effective measures, however, have thus far been undertaken to rehabilitate the river, which continues to receive toxic effluents from various sources. Although DENR Secretary Lito Atienza had recently promised to revive Marilao River within two years, the government agency has yet to identify the sources of pollution. It also has yet to disclose the particulars of scientific tests which DENR is said to have had conducted in the past as part of its environmental monitoring efforts.

What we do to the rivers show up in other ways as well. Contamination of surface waters and groundwater by chemicals is a serious threat to human health. More than a million people who live around the river system ignore the stench they smell every waking day. Many are prone to weak lungs, asthma and other allergies.

Water pollution in Bulacan dates back to the introduction by the Chinese of the tannery and jewelry industries in the area. Centuries later, today, the river system remains a catch basin for industrial and domestic wastes.

If water pollution is part of the process of industrialization, then this is the price people have to pay for the resultant prosperity they now enjoy. The solution for sustainability remains an elusive dream.

sources:

inq7.net

greenpeace.org

AFP (picture)