RIVER POLLUTION FROM A FACTORY

Background:

A chemical factory located next to a river has been releasing chemical wastes into the river. The river passes through a village located downstream from the factory and eventually discharges to the Sea.

Who (or what) is impacted by this pollution situation?:

1. Fishermen, and people who eat fish caught in the river
2. Inhabitants along the river, who are exposed to the river's water.
3. Agricultural lands that are irrigated with the river water.
4. Groundwater below the irrigated land.
5. Fish and other animals in the river and the Sea.

Dilemma:

The factory employs a lot of people and is very important to the economy in the area. It would be expensive for the factory to clean up their wastes and they might leave if forced to do that. Use of the river is important to the people living in the area because they use it for recreation, fishing, agricultural irrigation, and it affects their groundwater supply.

Action:

The government wants to create a group of stakeholders (people who are affected) to meet and decide what should be done about this problem. Some of the stakeholders might include:

1. Manager of the factory
2. Fishing industry
3. Mayor of the village along the river
4. Ministry of Health
5. Ministry of Environment
6. Member of Parliament
7. Farmers

Your task is to take part in this meeting as one of the stakeholder representatives and help decide what to do. Here are a few guidelines to assist you in this project:

1. Each member will take the part of one of the above mentioned participants in the meeting and represent that group's opinion. The group needs to choose a chairperson for the meeting.
   
2. You are to discuss the problem and potential alternative solutions, which might include: move the factory; construct a treatment plant for the chemical wastes, create tax incentives for the factory, or invest in a long-term loan program? You might recommend that new laws be passed to prevent locating factories along rivers.
   
3. You are to decide who (individual or group) should be responsible for making a final decision.
   
4. Suggest a program for improved public awareness.