Residents of Sarandí, a suburb of Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires, were left alarmed on Thursday after a local canal turned an intense shade of red. The striking change in the water’s color was captured in videos and photographs, showing the vividly tinted stream flowing into the Rio de la Plata, an estuary bordering an ecological reserve.
The incident raised immediate concerns among locals, many of whom suspect pollution from nearby industries as the cause. The Environment Ministry responded swiftly, announcing that water samples had been collected from the Sarandí canal to determine the exact nature of the contamination. By late afternoon, the water had begun to lose some of its intense coloration, according to reports from AFP news agency.
Local media sources suggest that the bright red hue may have been caused by textile dye dumping or chemical waste from a nearby industrial depot. The Sarandí canal runs through an area known for leather processing and textile factories, leading residents to point fingers at these industries for the frequent discoloration of the waterway.
A long-time resident, Silvia, told local news channel C5N that this was not an isolated incident. “Although it has turned red now, other times it was yellow, with an acidic smell that makes us sick even in the throat,” she stated. Silvia, who lives just a block from the canal, noted that while this time the water lacked a strong odor, past occurrences have been accompanied by a pungent chemical smell.
Maria Ducomls, another local, echoed similar concerns. Speaking to AFP, she recounted how the canal has displayed a variety of unnatural hues over the years. “I’ve seen it bluish, a little green, pink, a little lilac, with grease on top,” she said, adding that industries in the region routinely dump waste into the water.
The Sarandí canal contamination highlights long-standing environmental concerns in Argentina, particularly regarding industrial waste disposal and regulatory enforcement. Local environmental groups have repeatedly raised alarms about pollution levels in urban waterways, urging stricter monitoring and accountability measures.
Authorities have assured residents that the water samples will be analyzed to identify the contaminants responsible for the latest incident. However, many in the community remain skeptical, demanding immediate action to prevent further pollution and potential health risks.
As investigations continue, the red canal serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustainable waste management practices and stricter environmental oversight in industrial zones.
