NewsIt is the second time that a severe fish die-off has been reported in this river located in Santander. Fish die-off - Santander Photo: StockJOURNALIST02.10.2026 14:07 Updated: 02.10.2026 14:07
The recent fish die-off reported in municipalities located in the lower basin of the Lebrija River has reignited concern over the environmental deterioration of this important water source in Santander. For Hernán Clavijo, director of Prosantander's Strategic Water Agenda, the situation is not an isolated event or a sudden emergency, but the result of problems that have been accumulating in the region for decades. Fish die-off - Santander Photo: StockAs he explained, there are two main causes behind the pollution. The first is related to wastewater that ends up reaching the Lebrija River through its tributaries, especially the Oro River, which receives discharges coming from Bucaramanga and Girón."What we are seeing today in the municipalities near the Lebrija River basin is not something new, this is not a novelty, this is not happening only now, this has been happening for many years," said Clavijo. The director pointed out that one of the biggest concerns is the management of wastewater generated in the metropolitan area. As he explained, the Oro River acts as a receptor for much of these discharges before flowing into the Lebrija River, affecting communities located downstream. The second problem has to do with illegal mining taking place in sectors of the province of Soto Norte. General view of the dead fish in this area of Sucre. Photo:Taken from social mediaAccording to Clavijo, during these activities highly contaminating substances are used that end up reaching bodies of water."The second one, and no less concerning, is illegal mining, where discharges of elements such as mercury and cyanide occur, which are used for the illegal exploitation of this mineral in the province of Soto Norte and end up being dumped into water sources," he warned. Faced with this situation, the Strategic Water Agenda has identified 25 projects related to wastewater treatment in Santander, which would require investments of close to 1.9 trillion pesos. According to the diagnosis presented, the greatest concentration of these initiatives is in the metropolitan area and in Soto Norte, areas considered strategic for reducing the pollution that currently affects the Lebrija River. Inaugural act of the new work in Yumbo. Photo:Private archiveAmong the prioritized works is the Río de Oro Wastewater Treatment Plant (PTAR Río de Oro), considered by Clavijo to be the most important project for improving water quality in the region."The most emblematic and most significant project in terms of wastewater treatment, which will definitely make a difference for the communities living in the lower part of the Lebrija River basin, is the Río de Oro PTAR," he said. The initiative is led by the Santander Public Sewer Company (EMPAS), the entity in charge of operating the sewer system of the Bucaramanga metropolitan area. Currently, according to the director of the Strategic Water Agenda, the project is advancing in the search for funds from the National Government to achieve its financial closure. Clavijo insisted that the solution does not depend solely on protecting natural water sources, but also on guaranteeing that wastewater from cities and various economic activities receives adequate treatment before being returned to the rivers. Illegal extraction of gold and coltan leaves serious health consequences. Photo:Yeison Gualdrón/Claudia Rubio/EL TIEMPO"It is not enough for us to focus on the conservation of water sources; the treatment of wastewater generated in cities and in the economic activities we all carry out must also be done properly," he stated. YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN:Three criminals threatened him to take his Photo: Follow all the news from Colombia on Facebook and Twitter, or in our weekly newsletter.
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