Citarum river - Heavy pollution

Citarum river in Indonesia that supports a population of 28 million people, delivers 20% of Indonesia's gross domestic product, and provides 80% of water to Indonesia's capital Jakarta is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. Urbanization in the last three decades was followed by rise in untreated household sewage, solid waste and industrial effluents. The more waste enters the river there are more chances for spreading diseases, and already now there are many fishing families that are starving because of tremendous decrease in fish population due to heavy pollution.

Citarum river in Indonesia is one of the world's most polluted rivers

In order to start cleaning pollution as soon as possible Indonesian government will get a loan package of $ 500 million over the next 15 years that should be enough for restoration of Citarum's river basin by supporting different sanitation projects and construction of waste treatment plants in the river basin in order to ensure safe water supply to millions of people.

Water resources problem is one the biggest problems not only in Indonesia but in many other countries in Asia like for instance China (Yangtze) and India (Ganges). With the vast number of people that live in these areas these countries are facing serious problem of not only water shortage but possible pandemic level of waterborne diseases. Therefore, successful water management is one of the key questions that needs to be answered. The lives of millions of people in Asia are at stake.