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Mapocho River's Decade-Long Cleanup Yields Stunning Results
26 May
Summary
- Santiago's Mapocho River, once a sewer, is now clean enough for jogging and wildlife.
- A novel sanitation process involved a 28-kilometer tunnel channeling wastewater to treatment.
- The revitalized river supports approximately 80 species, including a rare endemic catfish.
For decades, the Mapocho River in Santiago was severely polluted, with 97 percent of the city's waste ending up in its waters. This once-obnoxious waterway, which flowed through the Chilean capital, has undergone a remarkable transformation. Approximately 1,000 people recently jogged along its banks, an activity unimaginable just a few years prior.
The successful 12-year cleanup project, concluded in 2010, was a significant public-private endeavor. It included the construction of a 28-kilometer tunnel to redirect wastewater to treatment facilities. This innovative process not only cleans the water but also utilizes waste to produce gas and fertilizer, powering the plant and aiding agriculture.
The Mapocho River's reinvigoration has led to its declaration as an "urban wetland," recognizing its ecological value. The clean water now supports an estimated 80 endemic, native, and exotic species. Biologists have confirmed the presence of a thriving endemic catfish species, a clear indicator that the river's ecosystem is healthy and supports life. Despite ongoing challenges with litter along its banks and fragmented territorial administration, the Mapocho's recovery is a source of pride and a testament to successful environmental efforts.
