Kifisos River faces systematic pollution from industrial and urban waste

The Kifisos River in Attica is facing extensive and systematic pollution, according to environmental experts and officials. A recent incident involving a tanker truck discharging high-acidity liquid waste has highlighted a broader, long-standing issue where industrial, livestock, and urban waste are frequently dumped into the waterway.

Experts suggest that the recent tanker incident is merely the ‘tip of the iceberg,’ with estimates indicating that at least one tanker may discharge waste into the river every day. Beyond individual tankers, significant pollution stems from industries, small workshops, marble factories, and car washes located along the riverbanks. These entities often use storm drains or direct pipes to release oils, chemicals, and other effluents, causing the river to change color during rainfall.

Petros Varelidis, General Secretary for Natural Environment and Water at the Ministry of Environment and Energy, stated that investigations into the environmental impact of these discharges are ongoing. Meanwhile, researchers from the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research have noted a continuous degradation of water quality over the last five years. Investigations have previously uncovered illegal setups, such as tankers connecting pipes to storm drains in industrial areas to bypass regulations.