Pomba River
Itaocara - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Description:
The Pomba River is one of the main tributaries of Paraiba do Sul, which flows into Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. Pomba originates in the city of Barbasena in Minas Gerais and flows into the Paraiba do Sul river.
In 2003, the river was seriously polluted by a large release of toxic waste (about 1.2 billion liters), which caused damage to the environment. Torrential rains overflowed the open sewage sink of the paper mill, so the bulk dam broke through, and toxic substances entered the Pomba. Thus, a spot of 50 square meters appeared on the river, which descended into Paraiba do Sul and fell into the sea.
The authorities took serious measures to prevent the further flow of waste into the river, industrial enterprises and institutions were stopped.