Following reports of skin diseases being contracted by the river, folks of Western Province post-February 2018’s quake, a Dutch expert has analysed some samples of the river and has found there to be no serious poisonous contaminants.
United Nations water specialist Reve van den Hoven conducted a thorough analysis of various water sources in parts of North, Middle and South Fly in Western Province early in 2018 and came up with findings that pointed to the water being mostly muddy.
The initial samples taken by the UN expert were to ascertain whether the rivers and waterways had a high toxicity levels that would render the water sources and rivers dangerous to human and animal life.
After a few tests, it was brought to light that the rivers and waterways in the province were mostly a lot thicker due to the tremendous amount of soil and debris that entered the tributaries when the earthquake brought down large chunks of mountains on Feb 26.
Even more so, Mr Reve van den Hoven said that while there were no major pollutants in the water, the mud itself had caused the rivers to turn into thick slushy goo that destroyed the oxygen content in the water thus suffocating whatever fish life was present prior to the quake induced landslips.
Now a year later, villagers from the affected areas remain adamant that their fish life has not returned to normalcy and sickness from water remains a serious issue.
Senior high school teacher from North Fly’s Nomad village James Kuro said yesterday that even though the New Year was a time to be happy, most of the people in Western Province remained troubled by the water contamination that they report to be still present.
Mr Kuro said that it was vital that a new team of water specialist and assessors return to parts of North and South Fly and test the waterways and tributaries.
“Even a year later, our people are still becoming ill from the intake of contaminated water.
“We need a new assessment team to come in the New Year and assure us that our water and fish will return to normal levels and standards,” said the senior teacher.