This list contains rivers and other streams that have been regarded, currently or historically, as among the most polluted in the world due to their quantity of pollution, the severity of different components of the stream's pollution, its impact on the local population, or a combination of all factors.
Reported by the World Health Organization as one of the most polluted rivers in Nigeria.[6]
General Manager Emeka Ugoanyanwu issued a public warning that that locals should not dispose of trash, urinate, bury the dead, and build soak-away pits along the river, due to it polluting the river with coliform bacteria.[7]
Severe risk of making the main source drinkable water for Owerri non-potable.[7]
One of the river goddesses in Yorubaland.[15] In 2018, the river suddenly began to change color due to gold mining. The river recorded the highest level of microplastics ever reported in river water globally in early 2024.[16][17]
One of the most polluted rivers in the state of Assam.[19] The biochemical oxygen demand of the river is 52 mg/L in compared to the permissible limit set by the National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) at 3 mg/L.[20]
Constructed during British rule, no longer used due to rail and road travel. The most polluted waterway in Chennai.[21]
Sewage and industrial effluents from industrial and agricultural units in Chennai, including North Chennai Thermal Power Station. Nearly 60% of the estimated 55 million litres of untreated sewage produced by Chennai is dumped into it daily.[21]
The silting up of the canal left the water stagnant, creating an attractive habitat for malaria-spreading mosquitoes.[22][21][21]
Called "a stinking cesspool" in poetry and journalism.[34][35]World Bank-funded project and shows that it is 80 per cent more polluted than treated sewer.[34]
The most sacred river to Hindus.[39] Levels of fecal coliform bacteria from human waste in the river near Varanasi are more than 100 times the Indian government's official limit.[40]
About 120,000 inhabitants in the Hayy El-Sellom neighborhood.[42]
The most polluted river in Lebanon, described in 2017 by Lebanese minister of public works Youssef Fenianos as no longer normal water, but sewage water.[43]
Floods of sewage water in settllements near the river, leading to periodic displacement.[44] Beleved to contribute to elevated rates of asthmatic and skin diseases, especially in children.[42]
Has caught on fire several times due to chemical contaminants.[54] Found that three hours to the river's water led to DNA damage in rainbow-trout liver-cells to be on average threefold that of unpolluted water.[56]Shayetet 13 veterans were provided compensation after developing sickness and higher occurrences of cancer after training near the river.[57]
Many biologically dead zones, with pollution almost wiping out traditional occupations along the river and its wetlands, including fishing and farming.[65]
Regarded in 2022 studies as the most contaminated river globally, with pharmaceutical residues such as paracetamol, nicotine, caffeine, and medications for epilepsy and diabetes detected in its waters.[68]
Careless disposal of large amount of industrial and agricultural wastewater and faulty drainage systems in both nations, especially in the Lahore metropolitan area.[69]
28,000 residents formerly, 23 of 24 settlements evacuated.[77]
Mayak complex[78] dumped an estimated 76 million cubic metres (2.7×109 cu ft) of radioactive waste water into the Techa River,[79] a cumulative dispersal of 2.75 MCi (102 PBq) of radioactivity.[80]
In the past 45 years, about half a million people in the region have been irradiated in one or more of the incidents,[81][82] exposing them to as much as 20 times the radiation suffered by the Chernobyl disaster victims.[79]
Regularly impacts village fishermen due to fish kills, and causes health impacts to residents in its sub-basin relying on its water for drinking, bathing, irrigating crops, fishing and livestock water.[83]
Second-largest tributary river of the Ganges by discharge, and the longest tributary in India. Accounts for more than 70 percent of Delhi's water supply. Highly venerated in Hinduism and worshipped as the goddess Yamuna.
Receives 800 million litres of largely untreated sewage and additional 44 million litres of industrial effluents each day.[87][88]
Discharge of wastewater in Delhi, with New Delhi dumping about 58% of its waste into the river.[88]
Described as the most polluted river in England.[108]
In 2021, raw sewage was discharged straight into the river for over 7,500 hours as a consequence of the 100-year old sewage system being overwhelmed by heavy rain.[108]
At its mouth, the river smells very bad and the bay is polluted by the wastewater, plastic, and other detritus from Tirana, which threatens an important sea turtle breeding ground.[111]
The Meža has been the most polluted river in Slovenia. In 1982 the singer-songwriter Marijan Smode [sl] wrote a song about it titled "Mrtva reka" (The Dead River).[114]
Mežica lead mine and the Ravne Steelworks (Železarna Ravne) conglomerate.[114]
Has a unique red and orange colour extending for 50 kilometres,[125] derived from its chemical makeup that is extremely acidic and with very high levels of iron and heavy metals.[126]
Primarily wastewater from the Upper Blackstone Water Pollution Abatement District.[136]
Rated as the worst category ("impaired") for all assessed uses ("aquatic life", "fish consumption", "primary contact" (e.g. swimming), "secondary contact" (e.g. boating) and "aesthetics").[137]
The second most polluted waterway in the United States in a 2000 study.[141]
Armco Inc. steel facility in Butler, which ranked first nationally for the amount of pollutant discharges, which legally discharged more than 29 million pounds of nitrate compounds.[141]
One of the longest rivers in Mexico.[146] Also one of its most polluted.[147]
Over a thousand different chemicals in the main channel and its tributaries. These substances included semi-volatile and volatile organic compounds, such as phthalates (hormonal disruptors), phenols (compounds that affect neuronal development), toluene (a neurotoxin), and carcinogenic flame retardants.[148]
Caused the death of an eight-year-old boy who fell into the river and succumbed to heavy metal poisoning nineteen days later.[149][150]
Once believed to be among the most polluted watercourses in the United States. Three sections are designated as Superfund sites.
Once held the highest concentrations of methyl mercury of any fresh-water sediment in the world, as well as extensive residues of PCBs and other chemicals due to chemical companies.[151][152] Despite closure of many industrial sites by the 2000s, still suffers from Urban runoff pollution, municipal sewage discharges from sanitary sewer overflows and combined sewer overflows, and runoff from hazardous waste sites continue to impair the river's water quality.[153][154]
By the 1960s, much of the lower river was essentially a turbidhypoxic dead zone, with only the hardiest of species, such as the mummichog, able to survive in its waters. The Lower Hackensack was declared a federal Superfund site in 2022.[155][156][157]
Michoacán and Guanajuato documenting an increase in cancer and neurocysticercosis in populations that live near the river.[160] Also has led to continuing loss of plant life in and around the river itself since 2005.[158]
One of the most plastic-emitting rivers in the world, contributing around two percent of global plastic pollution emissions into oceans annually.[168]
Highly polluted with untreated sewage, industrial waste, tons of sediment (garbage) and blackwater from Guatemala City carried by the Río Las Vacas tributary.[169]
Dangerous to marine protected areas of Honduras and Guatemala and conservation efforts to maintain species diversity.[170][170] Impacts several Indigenous and coastal communities.[171]
One of the most polluted industrial sites in the United States, containing years of discarded toxins, an estimated 30,000,000 US gallons (110,000,000 L; 25,000,000 imp gal) of spilled oil.[174]
Third largest river by discharge volume in the United States and the largest tributary by volume of the north–south flowing Mississippi River, which divides the eastern from western United States.[178] Listed among America's Most Endangered Rivers of 2023.[179]
The lower eight miles (13 km) of the river contains 4.3 million cubic yards (3.3×10^6 m3) of toxic mud at its bottom. It is considered one of the most polluted stretches of water in the nation.[180]
Industrial waste beginning in the 19th century, including dioxin generated by the Diamond Shamrock Chemical Plant as a waste product resulting from the production of Agent Orange.[181]
Restrictions on fish and wildlife consumption, and on recreational use. Also caused degradation on fish and wildlife populations, and fish tumors and other deformities.[183][184]
Large amounts of industrial and urban runoff from 598 businesses, manufacturers, and other parties, the largest being the Los Coyotes plant with an output of 30 million gallons (110,000 m3) per day.[186] Upper reaches impacted by trash, debris, fecal coliforms, and heavy metals from recreational use.[187][188][189]
Coyote Creek suffering from "acute and chronic toxicity" from pesticides and industrial chemicals, industrial contaminant pollution of a considerable portion of the groundwater in the San Gabriel River watershed, and detrimental impacts to the habitat.[190][191]
One of the most polluted rivers in the United States, especially in its lower course.[192]
"Ubiquitous" pesticide and fertilizer runoff and municipal runoff leading to elevated levels of selenium, fluoride, nitrates.[192]
In 1983, it was found that birds had suffered severe deformities and deaths due to steadily increasing levels of chemicals and toxins. In the next few years, all the fish species died except for the mosquito fish, and algae blooms proliferated in the foul water.[193][192]
Called "one of the most polluted waterways in the country".[200]
From 2018 to 2024, more than 100,000,000,000 US gallons (380,000,000 kL) of wastewater have flowed from Mexico into the United States via the Tijuana River according to the International Boundary and Water Commission,[201] including toxins, metals, solvents, pathogens, and sewage.[202]
Regular overflowing raw-sewage on the Mexican side, causing damage to vegetation and contributing to flooding. Citizens from both San Diego and Tijuana have fallen sick due to the sewage flowing into local beaches, with 34,000 people on Imperial Beach in 2017 alone.[203]
Suffered from a severe cyanobacterial bloom that stretched the length of the river in 1992.[207] Also suffered from fish kills in 2019 and 2023.[208][209]
The most polluted river in Latin America and it is considered one of the ten most polluted places globally, with very high levels of lead.[214]
Large amounts of industrial waste from the numerous factories along the river, especially tanneries.[215]
25% of children living in urban slums along the water's edge have lead in their bloodstreams, and even more suffer from gastrointestinal and respiratory illness.[215]
Suffered from significant industrial pollution called "foul and noisome, polluted by offal and industrious wastes, scummy with oil, unlikely to be mistaken for water."[220]Fish kills and submerged vehicles were a common sight, along with toxic chemical plumes that colored parts of the river pink and orange.[221]The Standells sang about the Charles in their 1965 song "Dirty Water". A combination of public and private initiatives helped drastically lower levels of pollutants, leading to the first "public swims" since the 1950s occurring in 2013.[222]
Was used for industrial purposes for more than 100 years, leading to thousands of migrating birds dying each year from oil slick and chemicals. The river's oxygen levels were depleted to the point where fish could not inhabit its waters. Because this pollution often drained into and affected Lake Erie, the lake was considered "dead" and unable to support aquatic life.[226][227] Was designated an ecological refuge in 2001, with cleanup efforts leading to the return of many species of native animals.[227]
By the 1960s the river had become a neglected, polluted mess due to undustrial pollution. In 1969, Pollution Probe held a much celebrated "Funeral for the Don" to highlight the plight of the river.[228] The river would have a few species of fish be restored following the closure of industrial sites and cleanup efforts.
Historically the receptacle for the city's garbage and sewage since New Amsterdam, leading to the destruction of the river's ecosystem. Was regarded as dangerous for anyone to fall into it as late as 2007.[229] Environmental controls and cleanups have allowed the ecosystem to gradually rebuild.[176]
One of the most polluted rivers in the world due to a century of intense industrial activity causing the lower stretches of the river to become ecologically dead with oxygen levels 20 percent below the norm. Cleanup efforts starting in 1990 as well as the deindustrialization of the area brought about the reintroduction of natural life to the habitat.[230][231]
One of the most heavily polluted waterways in Minnesota during the mid 20th century due to historical industrial use of the river, before the onset of modern environmental laws, resulting in the degradation of habitat and sediments contaminated with: mercury, dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and other toxins.[232] Still suffers from high levels of mercury in fish tissue despite cleanup efforts.[233][234]
One of the most polluted rivers in Europe in the 1990s,[235] due to the canning industry and urban and agricultural residues from urban areas. Demonstrations and the construction of hundreds of wastewater treatment and collection systems led to the river becoming the Spanish river with the lowest average pollution in the span of just one decade.[236][237]
Historically regarded as one of the most polluted rivers in the area due to the discharges from Sewage works near Lamesley and heavy industry in the Team Valley. It is called "The Gut" by the residents of Dunston. However considerable improvements have now been made and the river is relatively clean.[238]
The rapid population increase of the towns that developed following the Industrial Revolution led to an "offensive stench" and thick industrial pollution that peaked in the 1950s.[239][240][239][241]
Gained a reputation as the most polluted river in the United States in the 1970s.[242][243] Improved sewage treatment, low flow streamflow augmentation, and regular in-stream trash collection have changed its public perception to that of a celebrated recreational resource.[242]
Heavily industrialized in the 18th and 19th centuries, during the Industrial Revolution, and was declared one of the most polluted rivers in England. Subsequent cleanup efforts have led to a return of the river's brown trout, as well as chub, roach and dace.[244][245]
Referred to as "the biggest gutter for waste in Moscow" due to industrialization in the 19th and 20th centuries. The ecology slightly improved in the 2000s, with the closing or conversion of old factories and cleanup efforts by the city government.[246][247]
^"Lower Valley of the Awash". UNESCO World Heritage Site. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
^Ndiritu, G. G., N. N. Gichuki, P. Kaur, and L. Triest. 2003. The Nairobi river is mainly used by local citizens for bathing, washing clothes, and cleaning their homes. Characterization of environmental gradients using physicochemical measurements and diatom densities in Nairobi River, Kenya. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 6 (3): 343-354.
^ abRice, Earle (2012), The Ganges River, Mitchell Lane Publishers, Incorporated, p. 25, ISBN978-1612283685, archived from the original on 28 March 2024, retrieved 22 March 2017
^"Almost all plastic in the ocean comes from just 10 rivers – 30.11.2017". DW.COM. Archived from the original on 22 August 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2018. about 90 per cent of all the plastic that reaches the world's oceans gets flushed through just 10 rivers: The Yangtze, the Indus, Yellow River, Hai River, the Nile, the Ganges, Pearl River, Amur River, the Niger, and the Mekong (in that order).
^Avishai, Nanthawan; Rabinowitz, Claudette; Moiseeva, Elisabeth & Rinkevich, Baruch (2002): Genotoxicity of the Kishon River, Israel: the application of an in vitro cellular assay. Mutation Research518(1): 21–37. doi:10.1016/S1383-5718(02)00069-4 (HTML abstract)
^"Almost all plastic in the ocean comes from just 10 rivers – 30.11.2017". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on August 22, 2018. Retrieved August 22, 2018. about 90 percent of all the plastic that reaches the world's oceans gets flushed through just 10 rivers: The Yangtze, the Indus, Yellow River, Hai River, the Nile, the Ganges, Pearl River, Amur River, the Niger, and the Mekong (in that order).
^Mostern, Ruth; Horne, Ryan M. (2021). The Yellow River: A Natural and Unnatural History. Yale University Press. p. 58. ISBN978-0-300-23833-4. JSTORj.ctv1vbd1d8.
^Alqiviadh Cullaj, Agim Hasko, Aleko Miho, Ferdinand Schanz, Helmut Brandl, Reinhard Bachofen: The quality of Albanian natural waters and the human impact, in: Environment International 31 (2005)
^"Tabl. 10.6 Odpływ metali ciężkich rzekami do Morza Bałtyckiego w 2012 r.". Rocznik statystyczny gospodarki morskiej 2013. Warszawa: Główny Urząd Statystyczny. 2014-01-21. p. 338. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2022. "Results of the State Environmental Monitoring in the field of Water Monitoring" by Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection
^ abFernández-Remolar, David C.; Morris, Richard V.; Gruener, John E.; Amils, Ricardo; Knoll, Andrew H. (2005). "The Río Tinto Basin, Spain: Mineralogy, sedimentary geobiology, and implications for interpretation of outcrop rocks at Meridiani Planum, Mars". Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 240 (1): 149–167. Bibcode:2005E&PSL.240..149F. doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2005.09.043.
^Alcocer, Javier, Elva Escobar, and Alfonso Lugo. "Water Use (And Abuse) and Its Effects on the Crater‐lakes of Valle De Santiago, Mexico." Lakes & Reservoirs: Research & Management, 5.3 (2000): 145–149.
^Gómez-Balandra, María Antonieta, Edmundo Díaz-Pardo, and Altagracia Gutiérrez-Hernández. "Composición De La Comunidad íctica De La Cuenca Del Río Santiago, México, Durante Su Desarrollo Hidráulico Fish Community Composition of the Santiago River Basin, Mexico, During Its Hydraulic Development." Hidrobiológica, 22.1 (2012): 62–68.
^"Berry's Creek/Berry's Creek Canal". Meadowlands Environmental Site Investigation Compilation. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District. May 2004.
^ abDomínguez, Cuca (March 12, 2007). "Río Lerma, el más contaminado de la cuenca" (in Spanish). Guanajuato: Correo: El diario del estado de Guanajuato. Archived from the original on 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2008-08-04.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^Hugh McDiarmid, Jr. (July 2011). "When our rivers caught fire". Michigan Environmental Report. Michigan Environmental Council. Retrieved Nov 7, 2011. In 1969 ... the oil-matted Rouge River in Detroit caught fire, shooting flames 50 feet in the air ...
^ abEnvironmental Protection Agency, US (2015-04-03). "About Rouge River AOC". US EPA. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
^"Section 4.6 – Hydrology and Water Quality"(PDF). San Gabriel River Corridor Master Plan: Draft Program EIR. Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. Feb 2005. Retrieved 2017-08-24.
^"San Gabriel River Watershed"(PDF). State Water Resources Control Board. California Department of Water Resources. Retrieved 2017-08-24.
^"San Gabriel River Watershed"(PDF). State Water Resources Control Board. California Department of Water Resources. Retrieved 2017-08-24.
^ abcMount Lyell Remediation Research and Demonstration Program; Taylor, Jeff R; Tasmania. Department of Environment and Land Management (1996), Mount Lyell remediation : characterisation and impact assessment of mine tailings in the King River system and delta, Western Tasmania, Supervising Scientist, ISBN978-0-642-24304-1
^Kidder, Kimberly; et al. (April 15, 2014). "Vermilion River Pollution". MEDIA NOLA, A Project of Tulane University. Archived from the original on June 13, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)