A stream in the Buenos Aires area has turned an intense red color, causing concern among local residents. The stream, located in the municipality of Avellaneda, about 10 kilometers from the center of the Argentine capital, was noticed to have changed color on Thursday. Residents are worried about the pollution in the stream, with one local, MarÃa Ducomls, describing the water as looking like a “blood stream.” Ducomls, a housewife who has lived in the area for over 30 years, said it is clear that the stream is suffering from pollution.
The Ministry of Environment of the Province of Buenos Aires has taken water samples to determine the cause of the coloration. By the end of the afternoon, the color had started to fade, according to reports. The Ministry suspects that the coloration might be due to some type of organic dye. The stream runs through an area with textile factories and skin treatment plants, which are located less than 10 kilometers from the center of Buenos Aires. This has led to concerns among neighbors about the potential source of the pollution.
Local residents, including Ducomls, are pointing to companies in the area as the possible cause of the pollution. Ducomls mentioned a company that treats special and hazardous waste, located near the stream, as a potential source of the problem. She said that her family woke up to a strong odor and that the industries in the area are known to dispose of waste in the stream. Despite making complaints, Ducomls said that no one has come to explain what is happening. This is not the first time the stream has appeared discolored, with residents reporting seeing it turn bluish, green, pink, and lilac in the past, often with a layer of fat on top that resembles oil.
The incident has highlighted concerns about pollution in the area and the need for action to protect the local environment. The Ministry of Environment’s investigation into the cause of the coloration is ongoing, and residents are waiting for answers about what is happening to their stream. FOUNTAIN: AFP