The sewage treatment plant in Pergamino is in a critical situation that endangers public health and the environment.
With more than half a century of age, the infrastructure has become obsolete due to urban growth in the Buenos Aires locality.
Today, “the plant is obsolete, the ponds are not functioning, nor are the biodigesters,” denounced councilor Ramiro Llan de Rosos.
Furthermore, according to his statement, this situation causes untreated effluents to be discharged into the Pergamino Stream.
The Pergamino treatment plant, collapsed and without maintenance
The sewage treatment plant was designed more than 50 years ago for a population of 60,000 people.
However, Pergamino now exceeds 100,000 inhabitants and has nearly 80,000 connections.
This now overloads the system, which must operate under constant pressure due to a larger number of residents.
“Today it is in a critical situation, surely many residents are unaware of this, nor do they have to know,” said Llan de Rosos, from the Juntos bloc.
And he asserted: “These are the works that are not seen, but are necessary”.
The Pergamino Stream is contaminated due to the inefficiency of the treatment plant
Furthermore, this lack of investment and inefficient municipal management has led to an environmental problem that grows daily.
It involves the constant discharge of untreated liquids: according to local complaints, the Pergamino Stream receives sewage directly.
This affects the area’s biodiversity and the residents living downstream.
In light of this, the councilor warned that for three years, no tender has been held for sludge collection, worsening the problem.
“There is only one outlet for that: the stream, which is causing significant environmental contamination,” stated the official.
Demands for transparency to the municipality
According to information published by Diario Núcleo, the councilor requested the Municipality of Pergamino for details on the actions taken to control and improve the treatment plant.
He also requested access to technical reports, inspections, and water analysis results.
The aim of this information request is to determine the actual level of contamination and the measures taken by the current administration.
The request seeks for the municipality to account for the state of the plant and explain why there are no clear budget allocations for its modernization.
In the municipal budget for 2026, no work related to the improvement of the sewage system is foreseen, which concerns environmental organizations and residents.
Today, the Pergamino treatment plant is considered a source of contamination and a health risk.
The situation, specialists warn, requires immediate investments, sustainable urban planning, and continuous monitoring.
“The community deserves to live in a healthy and safe environment. It is the responsibility of the Municipal Government to take the necessary measures to ensure this,” indicated environmental sectors.
The citizen demand and the request from the Deliberative Council mark a turning point: modernize the plant or face a deeper environmental crisis.
