All these factors are significant sources of pollutants such as coliform, organic matter and total suspended solids. What is, however, mainly blamed for the pollution of Butuanon River are the industrial firms that line its banks. These firms are primarily composed of food processing plants, and of the total 33 industrial firms that make up the Butuanon River Industrial Community, only six have waste treatment facilities. Only four of these, however, can meet the DENR's existing effluent standards for Class D rivers. It's no surprise, therefore, that industries have been found to account for as much as 95 percent of the organic pollutants discharged into the river.
Industries are also the largest source of bacterial contamination.
According to the same report, industries also contribute significantly to the volume of trash dumped along the river banks. This irresponsible practice not only creates an eyesore but also greatly affects the river's water quality. Decaying mango wastes, for instance, have produced a black leachate that can be seen for a few kilometers downstream. The first phase, which was started last year, primarily involves assessing the condition of the river, identifying the causes of pollution, and formulating a management plan. The second phase, which was originally scheduled to begin this September, is the actual implementation of the management plan.