“This waste effectively blocks the water. Water has difficulty entering the forced conduits to provide the pressure and speed required for the machines,” explained Ljovy Mulemangabo, provincial director of the national power company, SNEL.
Every day, workers attempt to remove plastic bottles, jerry cans, and other debris, but the sheer volume overwhelms their efforts. The waste not only collects on the surface but also sinks to depths of up to 14 meters, requiring divers to clear the riverbed to prevent turbine blockages.
