How Can we Make Our Rivers Cleaner and Create Awareness

The River Nile, hit hard by pollution

It is well known that Herodotus, an ancient Greek historian who is regarded as the ''Father of History,” famously called Egypt ‘the gift of the Nile’. The ancient old country has historically depended on the Nile to build its magnificent civilization, and till today the Nile remains its main source of water supply.

However, the river Nile is being continuously contaminated with toxic chemicals, and agricultural waste, since arable and livestock farming can contaminate rivers when manure, topsoil, pesticides and fertilizers get washed off the land into streams, rivers and aquifers, in addition to radioactive waste and oil pollution. Approximately 4 BCM of agricultural and industrial waste containing acids, organic materials, pesticides, agricultural and heavy metals discharged into the main stream each year

Additionally, human activities can also be attributed to the pollution of the river, such as sewage remnants from floating hotels, and people bathing and cleaning their animals in the river. In addition to carelessly disposing of garbage in the river, where things like crisp packets, plastic bottles, and plastic bags often make their way into rivers.

According to a report published by Fanack Water in 2023, the influx of polluted water into the water systems in the delta region have led to increased concentrations of organic matter and chemical nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous. This created a severe impact on water quality, increased algae growth and reduced the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, resulting in the extinction of aquatic life

Water contamination threatens Morocco’s rivers

Water pollution is also one of the major problems facing Morocco’s water sector. Due to its population growth and the increase in agricultural and industrial activities, Morocco’s water resources are subject to increasing and continuous pressure that affects their quality. Alarming levels of pollution are seen in several sections of watercourses, and several water streams have high concentrations of phosphorus, ammonia, and organic matter.

The Sebou river basin in northern Morocco runs roughly 308 miles in length, from the the Middle Atlas Mountains in the east to the the Atlantic ocean in the west. According to a report published by worldatlas.com, the Sebou river that constitutes 30% of Morocco’s water resources is heavily polluted by untreated industrial and municipal discharge, and agricultural waste. The river plays a critical role in irrigation and supports agriculture in the most fertile area of Morocco along the Gharb region.

Oum Er-Rbia the second longest river in Morocco covers a distance of 345 miles. It originates in the Middle Atlas and passes through the city of Khénifra, arriving at its mouth at the Atlantic Ocean at the port of Azemmour, located on its left bank. The two main rivers in Morroco, Sebou and Oum er-Rbia, experience critical levels of pollution several times a year.

So, what can we do to help?

There are several activities that can be done, such as organizing or joining river clean ups. Simply ask your friends and peers to join you in cleaning the river, wear a pair of gloves, prepare a number of large garbage bags, as well as a few nets to fish garbage out of the river. And don’t forget to spread the word, so others would replicate the effort in other parts of the river, and it becomes a regular activity throughout the year.

In addition, you can join forces with existing initiatives to clean rivers in your country, and learn from their experiences and resources. For example, VeryNile was the first initiative in Egypt to develop sustainable means to clean the Nile while raising awareness on the importance of protecting the environment .

In 2020, they have launched the project ‘Reviving Cairo Fishermen’ that socially and economically empowers local fishermen to clean the Nile on a daily basis. Every day, the fishermen take their boats and remove an average of 100kg of plastic waste from the Nile which amounts to almost 40 tons per year.  

In exchange for cleaning the Nile, fishermen receive a financial incentive (per kg of trash collected), social insurance and social services which include access to educational and healthcare services, as well as environmental workshops and trainings..

It is also a good idea to approach local companies to sponsor river clean-up campaigns and turn them into permanent initiatives, which not only serves to cleanse rivers, but also preserves biodiversity and marine life in these rivers. Last but not least, you can also spread the word further by writing about it on your social media accounts, talking to your friends about it, taking pictures of clean-up campaigns to inspire others to join, and creating volunteer groups to join you in river clean-up campaigns.

Organizing awareness raising campaigns

Morocco has taken steps to improve water management; however this is a need to involve everyone with a role or interest in water management in the planning and decision‐making process. These can include the establishment of water user associations, education and training initiatives and awareness-raising campaigns aimed at the general public. It is also important to spread the word about the topic on social media through posts, articles, pictures, and podcasts.

In addition, more needs to be done to raise awareness among water users, polluters and civil society and youth networks about water pollution, waste water treatment and water conservation.