Eerie red waters in Buenos Aires suburb spark concern

A canal in a suburb of the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, has turned bright red in recent days, alarming residents

In recent days, residents of a suburb in Buenos Aires have been confronted with a disturbing sight: the waters of the Sarandí Canal, which flows into the Río de la Plata, have turned a deep, almost blood-red hue, causing alarm and disbelief among locals.

This sudden change in water color has naturally raised questions about the potential presence of pollutants.

According to local media reports, the cause may be the discharge of textile dyes or chemical waste from industrial activities in the area, which is home to numerous tanneries and textile factories.

Residents speak out: “the water changes color frequently”

For those living nearby, this is unfortunately not a new occurrence.

“This time it’s red, but in the past, it’s been yellow, bluish, even purple, with a layer of grease on top,” said Maria Ducomls, who highlighted the frequent discharge of industrial waste into the waterway. Another resident explained that on previous occasions, the water emitted such a strong acidic odor that it caused nausea and throat irritation.

Ongoing investigations

Argentine authorities are working to get to the bottom of the issue. The Ministry of the Environment has announced that it will collect water samples from the Sarandí Canal to analyze its composition and identify any toxic substances responsible for the phenomenon.

This would not be the first time local industries have discharged hazardous waste into waterways without proper oversight. The Río de la Plata, which receives the waters from the Sarandí Canal, is one of the main waterways in both Argentina and Uruguay, and pollution of this basin could have serious environmental consequences.

The color of the Sarandí Canal may return to normal in the coming days, but the problem of river pollution, often invisible, continues to pose a threat to local communities and aquatic ecosystems.

It remains to be seen whether this time the investigations will lead to concrete actions or if the canal will soon be tinted with other alarming hues.