In La Pampa, a strong controversy is raging over an issue that is not new: the contamination of the Colorado River. There are conflicting versions and accusations between the residents of 25 de mayo and the authorities, both municipal and provincial.
It all started with statements made by Mayor Leonel Monsalve, who stated that the water of the river was contaminated and not suitable for human consumption.
His claims were quickly refuted by several council members. However, a group of residents joined the complaint about contamination.
Contamination of the Colorado River: what authorities say
Monsalve based his statements on a supposed report from the Interjurisdictional Committee of the Colorado River (COIRCO), labeling the river’s situation as “catastrophic.”
It was reported that the report cited by the mayor was authored by COIRCO. Consequently, the Pampean delegate to the river basin committee, Juan Greco, accused Monsalve of engaging in “informational terrorism” by casting doubt on the water quality of the river.
Now, a group of residents reiterated claims of river contamination and urged provincial and municipal authorities to “stop prioritizing partisan disputes and work together.”
Reclamos por la contaminación del RÃo Colorado. (Photo: Facebook Lululen Aventura).[/caption>
“As citizens who know and live by the Colorado River, we feel the need to raise our voices in the face of an alarming situation. We do not represent any political flag; we speak from our experience and love for this natural resource,” they stated in a post on Facebook.
The residents’ plea
“The river is contaminated. This is an undeniable fact. While it is true that the hydrological dynamics can, to some extent, assimilate certain compounds through physicochemical means, relying solely on superficial analysis of water samples to determine its quality is insufficient and unserious,” the group stated on the Lululen Aventura account, a space dedicated to eco-tourism.
“What truly matters is evident to all: glass, appliances, 200-liter drums, bottles, clothing, safety tapes, metal sheets, plastics, and even untreated sewage effluents constantly contaminate the river,” detailed the text signed by engineer DarÃo Segundo.
“It is distressing to see that there is no effective political strategy based on environmental education, a role that we, as citizens, have tried to develop on our own, solely out of love for the Colorado River,” the statement added.
“There is also no territorial planning that includes clear guidelines to preserve the river’s quality and its surroundings,” they added.
In that regard, they mentioned the state of the Punto Unido dam viewpoint. “This place, which should be a tourist attraction of pride and connection with nature, clearly reflects the lack of management and planning,” they pointed out.
They called on the authorities to work on restoring natural spaces in this regard.
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