Litter in streams and rivers poses risks on several levels. Not only does it harm biodiversity when waste ends up in the water where it does not belong, it can also obstruct water flow and increase the risk of flooding.
As part of a new awareness campaign, the Ministry of the Environment, the river partnerships of the Alzette and the Chiers, and a total of 13 municipalities will be cleaning riverbanks along the two waterways over the next two weeks.
Plastic waste, bottles, glass, and even construction debris have no place in streams and rivers. Although most people are aware of this, a considerable amount of rubbish was collected on Monday in Ehlerange during the first clean-up operation along the Kiemelbach, a stream belonging to the Alzette river.
According to Sanem’s alderman for the environment, Steve Gierenz of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP), the campaign is clearly necessary. He pointed out that the contents of some rubbish bags were particularly striking, including sanitary pads and wet wipes, and stressed that municipalities must continue raising awareness that such items should be disposed of in household waste rather than flushed down the toilet.
Wind and rain, as well as improper disposal via the sewage system, often carry waste into waterways. Blocked water flow can lead to flooding, but that is not the only concern. Lisa Van der Weken, research officer at the Ministry of the Environment, highlighted that there is also an aesthetic dimension, especially in public spaces such as parks where people pass by.
Van der Weken added that, depending on the type of waste, pollution of the water itself is another serious issue. Removing rubbish is therefore important not only for water quality but also to protect small animals living in and around the streams, which may ingest the waste, she said.
The 13 participating municipalities are organising their clean-up operations independently. In the municipality of Sanem, the municipal works department and the ecological service have been tasked with carrying out the activities.
David Hengen from the ecological service explained that the initiative is also being used to assess the overall condition of the river. He said teams are examining water flow, the state of the banks, and the level of pollution, with the aim of gaining a comprehensive overview of the river’s environmental status. A local farmer familiar with the area also took part in order to provide additional insight, Hengen said.
Such assessments are essential for future renaturation projects along streams and rivers.
