Resurrecting dead rivers

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These rivers may have received the rating ‘D’ as in dead, but efforts from the private sectors and the governments pledge to bring the rivers back from the dead.

There are different classes of rivers – A, B, C and D. ‘A’ means that the water in the river is drinkable. ‘B’ means you can swim in it. ‘C’ means you can catch fish in it. D means it’s dead.

So how can they be brought back to life?

Case 1: The Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is a world heritage, a source of life and a landmark for generations of people in the Middle East. It was termed the Dead Sea because its salt content makes it difficult for marine life to thrive.

Ecologists say that in a few years, life in the Dead Sea will disappear. It is under threat because mining operations for magnesium chloride and potash has damaged the surface of the Dead Sea, threatening its ecosystem by removing water from the natural oases and hampering economic activity in the area.

Recently, the World Bank held public consultations and hearings in three Middle Eastern countries – Palestine, Israel and Jordan – to look into the feasibility of a Red-Dead transfer. The plan is to introduce different density and composition to the Dead Sea, which mixture causes the buoyancy of the water and its blue appearance instead of red. Mixing calcium-rich water from the Dead Sea and sulfate-rich water from the Red Sea could create a surface layer of gypsum. Scientists believe this plan combined with introduction of fresh algae growth might work in order to change its density and composition, and resuscitate it.

Case 2: Pasig River
Before, the Philippines’ Pasig River used to be a healthy river, with a diverse ecosystem, thriving fish and aquatic life. Now, it has become merely a dumpsite and a repository of human waste. It is rated ‘D’, that means the river can no longer sustain ecological life. However, hopes are high that the river can be resuscitated and returned to its original glory.

According to the ABS-CBN Foundation, the river can be revived from its ‘D’ status to a ‘C’ in seven years. The move to rehabilitate the river is part of the continued efforts to promote corporate social responsibility among private companies along with the involvement of government agencies and other concerned sectors.

The plan is to use “bio-remediation technology” which involves introducing “bacteria to eat other bacteria” with no harm to aquatic life. The rehabilitation of the Pasig River will require some P700 million in funds, which will be sourced out through corporate and private donations.

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