Last week, citizen monitoring of the contamination of the Ludueña stream formally began. More than 40 volunteers from different locations in Santa Fe were trained to collaborate in the environmental diagnosis of the basin.
The event took place at the Nautical Club Malvinas Argentinas in Rosario. The meeting, led by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Enrique Estévez, is part of the participatory component of the Comprehensive Approach Plan for the Ludueña basin.
The volunteers came from different cities and had different educational backgrounds.
Ludueña stream contamination: what does the monitoring consist of
Volunteers in the Ludueña stream.
There are 44 university and tertiary students, activists, teachers, and committed citizens from Pérez, Roldán, Funes, and Rosario. They were organized into 15 workgroups and received training in the analysis of macroinvertebrates.
This analysis allows for evaluating the environmental quality of water bodies. These organisms (insects, mollusks, crustaceans, and worms) serve as biological indicators of the health of the aquatic ecosystem due to their sensitivity to changes in water quality.
A greater diversity of species indicates good environmental conditions, while a decrease in variety, with a predominance of more resistant species, may indicate high levels of contamination.
This analysis, along with the physicochemical tests carried out by the Ministry in collaboration with the National Water Institute (INA), the Municipality of Rosario, and the National University of Rosario (UNR), will provide a detailed view of the environmental status of the stream.
This is the Comprehensive Approach Plan for the Ludueña stream basin
The mouth of the Ludueña stream. (Photo: Wikipedia).
The authorities’ plan is structured in three dimensions:
- Residents with an active role in improving the basin, participating in public hearings and contributing to the mapping and monitoring of actions.
- Direct interventions in the territory, such as cleaning and restoration work in critical areas of the stream, especially in the Stella Maris and La Bombacha neighborhoods. Additionally, there will be joint work with the Ministry of Public Works and the Municipality of Rosario, as well as programs like the Plan Abre and Focused Neighborhood Interventions (IBF).
- Ongoing monitoring and control of the water quality of the stream and its tributaries, in addition to overseeing economic activities that may have a negative impact on the basin.
In collaboration with Aguas Santafesinas (ASSA), surveys of the stormwater and sewer system are also being conducted to prevent irregular discharges.
Do you already know our YouTube channel? Subscribe!
