Cileungsi River turns black due to suspected waste sedimentation

The Cileungsi River in the Wanaherang area of Gunung Putri, Bogor Regency, has turned black, sparking environmental concerns among residents in the residential and industrial zones. The discoloration is most visible when water levels drop during dry periods, exposing long-accumulated waste sediment at the riverbed.

Bogor Regent Rudy Susmanto stated that the pollution has likely been occurring for many years. He noted that while local authorities have closed some unauthorized drainage channels, managing the hundreds of factories in the area is complex. Some multinational companies fall under central government jurisdiction rather than local authority.

To address the issue, the Bogor Regency government plans to inventory waste sources and construct several wastewater treatment plants (IPAL) by the end of 2026. The goal is to ensure that water from both industrial and residential sources is processed through treatment facilities before entering the river.