Scientists reveal extent of Lima river pollution

A recent study by scientists in Peru has found that waters of Chillon River, on outskirts of Lima, are len with pollutants.

After performing an analysis that spanned several weeks last vember, biologists from Lima's Cayeta Heredia University found that river h 12 times maximum permissible levels of pollutants for drinking water.

Environmental microbiologist Oscar Aguinaga said most concerning pollutant in river was E. coli, a of bacteria common in gut and in faeces of many animals.

Aguinaga said one source of pollution was a sew treatment plant that longer has capacity to treat increasing volume of waste coming from city.

One local resident said she often sees de animals and debris floating in river where she and her neighbours used to swim when y were children.

high levels of contamination, according to Aguinaga, do t allow use of river water to irrigate farm fields and birds looking for drinking water longer seek refuge re.

Lima has multiple water sources, including lagoons, wells, springs, and rivers Rimac, Lurin and Chillon.

Chillon accounts for at least 10 percent of water used in city.

river rises in Peruvian Andes and flows for more than a hundred kilometers (60 miles) through Lima and into Pacific Ocean.

Chaotic urban growth that can be traced back to 1980s has w turned last few kilometers of Chillon river into a virtual garb dump.

(Pic Credit: Representative Im/ Pixabay)