Most polluted rivers in the world (5 are in the US)

25. Ohio River, United States, 23. Pasig River, Philippines, 21. Niger River, West and Central Africa, 19. Salween River, Southeast Asian, 18. Passaic River, United States, 17. Danube River, Central and Southeastern Europe, 16. Indus River, South and Central Asia, 15. Murray-Darling River, Australia, 13. The Jordan River, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestinian territories, 11. Nile River, Egypt and Sudan, 9. Mississippi River, United States, 7. Yangtze River, China, 5. Sarno River, Italy, 3. Citarum River, Indonesia, 1. Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

Rivers are a vital part of our ecosystem on Earth. Not only are they homes to precious wildlife, but they also provide drinking water to billions of people across the world. However, the global scale of discharge of agricultural, municipal, and industrial pollutants is seriously damaging river ecosystems and threatening the supply of clean drinking water worldwide. On top of that, polluted rivers flowing into the ocean cause environmental issues to spread even further.

Curious about the dirtiest waterways on the planet? Click on to discover the most polluted rivers in the world.

25. Ohio River, United States

25. Ohio River, United States, 23. Pasig River, Philippines, 21. Niger River, West and Central Africa, 19. Salween River, Southeast Asian, 18. Passaic River, United States, 17. Danube River, Central and Southeastern Europe, 16. Indus River, South and Central Asia, 15. Murray-Darling River, Australia, 13. The Jordan River, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestinian territories, 11. Nile River, Egypt and Sudan, 9. Mississippi River, United States, 7. Yangtze River, China, 5. Sarno River, Italy, 3. Citarum River, Indonesia, 1. Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

The Ohio River doesn't meet safety standards. Its alarming pollution results from a combination of industrial waste, primarily from chemical plants and manufacturing, and agricultural runoff containing fertilizers and pesticides. 

23. Pasig River, Philippines

25. Ohio River, United States, 23. Pasig River, Philippines, 21. Niger River, West and Central Africa, 19. Salween River, Southeast Asian, 18. Passaic River, United States, 17. Danube River, Central and Southeastern Europe, 16. Indus River, South and Central Asia, 15. Murray-Darling River, Australia, 13. The Jordan River, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestinian territories, 11. Nile River, Egypt and Sudan, 9. Mississippi River, United States, 7. Yangtze River, China, 5. Sarno River, Italy, 3. Citarum River, Indonesia, 1. Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

Once a vital waterway, the Pasig River was declared biologically dead in 1990. Its water quality is heavily compromised, with hazardous levels of heavy metals and toxins. The main sources of pollution are untreated sewage, unregulated industrial discharges, and the accumulation of solid waste.

21. Niger River, West and Central Africa

25. Ohio River, United States, 23. Pasig River, Philippines, 21. Niger River, West and Central Africa, 19. Salween River, Southeast Asian, 18. Passaic River, United States, 17. Danube River, Central and Southeastern Europe, 16. Indus River, South and Central Asia, 15. Murray-Darling River, Australia, 13. The Jordan River, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestinian territories, 11. Nile River, Egypt and Sudan, 9. Mississippi River, United States, 7. Yangtze River, China, 5. Sarno River, Italy, 3. Citarum River, Indonesia, 1. Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

Approximately 130 million people live by the Niger River Basin, grappling with severe pollution. Raw sewage and industrial waste have tarnished the river's waters.

19. Salween River, Southeast Asian

25. Ohio River, United States, 23. Pasig River, Philippines, 21. Niger River, West and Central Africa, 19. Salween River, Southeast Asian, 18. Passaic River, United States, 17. Danube River, Central and Southeastern Europe, 16. Indus River, South and Central Asia, 15. Murray-Darling River, Australia, 13. The Jordan River, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestinian territories, 11. Nile River, Egypt and Sudan, 9. Mississippi River, United States, 7. Yangtze River, China, 5. Sarno River, Italy, 3. Citarum River, Indonesia, 1. Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

Flowing primarily within southwest China and eastern Myanmar, the Salween is battling pollution due to industrial waste. 

18. Passaic River, United States

25. Ohio River, United States, 23. Pasig River, Philippines, 21. Niger River, West and Central Africa, 19. Salween River, Southeast Asian, 18. Passaic River, United States, 17. Danube River, Central and Southeastern Europe, 16. Indus River, South and Central Asia, 15. Murray-Darling River, Australia, 13. The Jordan River, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestinian territories, 11. Nile River, Egypt and Sudan, 9. Mississippi River, United States, 7. Yangtze River, China, 5. Sarno River, Italy, 3. Citarum River, Indonesia, 1. Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

Flowing through northern New Jersey, the Passaic River is far from healthy. Lead, mercury, and toxic chemicals from industry have turned this river into one of the most polluted in the world.

17. Danube River, Central and Southeastern Europe

25. Ohio River, United States, 23. Pasig River, Philippines, 21. Niger River, West and Central Africa, 19. Salween River, Southeast Asian, 18. Passaic River, United States, 17. Danube River, Central and Southeastern Europe, 16. Indus River, South and Central Asia, 15. Murray-Darling River, Australia, 13. The Jordan River, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestinian territories, 11. Nile River, Egypt and Sudan, 9. Mississippi River, United States, 7. Yangtze River, China, 5. Sarno River, Italy, 3. Citarum River, Indonesia, 1. Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

Europe's second-largest river, the Danube grapples with some serious pollution. Shockingly, between 530 and 1,550 tons of plastic waste flows out to the Black Sea. 

16. Indus River, South and Central Asia

25. Ohio River, United States, 23. Pasig River, Philippines, 21. Niger River, West and Central Africa, 19. Salween River, Southeast Asian, 18. Passaic River, United States, 17. Danube River, Central and Southeastern Europe, 16. Indus River, South and Central Asia, 15. Murray-Darling River, Australia, 13. The Jordan River, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestinian territories, 11. Nile River, Egypt and Sudan, 9. Mississippi River, United States, 7. Yangtze River, China, 5. Sarno River, Italy, 3. Citarum River, Indonesia, 1. Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

Industrial discharge and sewage are taking a heavy toll on the Indus River. Its water quality is so dire that it's unsafe for consumption.

15. Murray-Darling River, Australia

25. Ohio River, United States, 23. Pasig River, Philippines, 21. Niger River, West and Central Africa, 19. Salween River, Southeast Asian, 18. Passaic River, United States, 17. Danube River, Central and Southeastern Europe, 16. Indus River, South and Central Asia, 15. Murray-Darling River, Australia, 13. The Jordan River, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestinian territories, 11. Nile River, Egypt and Sudan, 9. Mississippi River, United States, 7. Yangtze River, China, 5. Sarno River, Italy, 3. Citarum River, Indonesia, 1. Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

Once pristine, the Murray-Darling River is now struggling to survive. Pesticides, over-extraction, and pollution have taken a toll. 

13. The Jordan River, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestinian territories

25. Ohio River, United States, 23. Pasig River, Philippines, 21. Niger River, West and Central Africa, 19. Salween River, Southeast Asian, 18. Passaic River, United States, 17. Danube River, Central and Southeastern Europe, 16. Indus River, South and Central Asia, 15. Murray-Darling River, Australia, 13. The Jordan River, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestinian territories, 11. Nile River, Egypt and Sudan, 9. Mississippi River, United States, 7. Yangtze River, China, 5. Sarno River, Italy, 3. Citarum River, Indonesia, 1. Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

A sacred river in Christianity and Judaism where pilgrims go to get baptized, the pollution levels of this historic river are soaring. Overuse, untreated sewage, and industrial waste have turned it into one of the most polluted rivers in the world.

11. Nile River, Egypt and Sudan

25. Ohio River, United States, 23. Pasig River, Philippines, 21. Niger River, West and Central Africa, 19. Salween River, Southeast Asian, 18. Passaic River, United States, 17. Danube River, Central and Southeastern Europe, 16. Indus River, South and Central Asia, 15. Murray-Darling River, Australia, 13. The Jordan River, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestinian territories, 11. Nile River, Egypt and Sudan, 9. Mississippi River, United States, 7. Yangtze River, China, 5. Sarno River, Italy, 3. Citarum River, Indonesia, 1. Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

With a length of 4,130 miles (6,650 km), the Nile has been the region's lifeline for centuries. Today, it contains excessive levels of bacteria, heavy metals, and other pollutants, making it unsafe for drinking, bathing, or agriculture.  

9. Mississippi River, United States

25. Ohio River, United States, 23. Pasig River, Philippines, 21. Niger River, West and Central Africa, 19. Salween River, Southeast Asian, 18. Passaic River, United States, 17. Danube River, Central and Southeastern Europe, 16. Indus River, South and Central Asia, 15. Murray-Darling River, Australia, 13. The Jordan River, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestinian territories, 11. Nile River, Egypt and Sudan, 9. Mississippi River, United States, 7. Yangtze River, China, 5. Sarno River, Italy, 3. Citarum River, Indonesia, 1. Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

One of the most polluted rivers in the US, vast stretches of the Mississippi River contain dangerous levels of mercury and sediment. 

7. Yangtze River, China

25. Ohio River, United States, 23. Pasig River, Philippines, 21. Niger River, West and Central Africa, 19. Salween River, Southeast Asian, 18. Passaic River, United States, 17. Danube River, Central and Southeastern Europe, 16. Indus River, South and Central Asia, 15. Murray-Darling River, Australia, 13. The Jordan River, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestinian territories, 11. Nile River, Egypt and Sudan, 9. Mississippi River, United States, 7. Yangtze River, China, 5. Sarno River, Italy, 3. Citarum River, Indonesia, 1. Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

Pollution from industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and urban waste is taking a heavy toll on one of China's major rivers. Nearly half of the people who depend on it have no safe drinking water.

5. Sarno River, Italy

25. Ohio River, United States, 23. Pasig River, Philippines, 21. Niger River, West and Central Africa, 19. Salween River, Southeast Asian, 18. Passaic River, United States, 17. Danube River, Central and Southeastern Europe, 16. Indus River, South and Central Asia, 15. Murray-Darling River, Australia, 13. The Jordan River, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestinian territories, 11. Nile River, Egypt and Sudan, 9. Mississippi River, United States, 7. Yangtze River, China, 5. Sarno River, Italy, 3. Citarum River, Indonesia, 1. Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

The Sarno is one of the most polluted rivers in Europe due to agricultural waste and insufficiently treated industrial wastewater. Heavy metals and chemicals infiltrate its waters, harming both humans and wildlife.

3. Citarum River, Indonesia

25. Ohio River, United States, 23. Pasig River, Philippines, 21. Niger River, West and Central Africa, 19. Salween River, Southeast Asian, 18. Passaic River, United States, 17. Danube River, Central and Southeastern Europe, 16. Indus River, South and Central Asia, 15. Murray-Darling River, Australia, 13. The Jordan River, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestinian territories, 11. Nile River, Egypt and Sudan, 9. Mississippi River, United States, 7. Yangtze River, China, 5. Sarno River, Italy, 3. Citarum River, Indonesia, 1. Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

The Citarum is the primary water source for millions, yet it is polluted with industrial, agricultural, and biological waste. Environmentalists have observed that over 20,000 tons of waste and 340,000 tons of wastewater from textile factories are dumped into the river daily.

1. Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

25. Ohio River, United States, 23. Pasig River, Philippines, 21. Niger River, West and Central Africa, 19. Salween River, Southeast Asian, 18. Passaic River, United States, 17. Danube River, Central and Southeastern Europe, 16. Indus River, South and Central Asia, 15. Murray-Darling River, Australia, 13. The Jordan River, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestinian territories, 11. Nile River, Egypt and Sudan, 9. Mississippi River, United States, 7. Yangtze River, China, 5. Sarno River, Italy, 3. Citarum River, Indonesia, 1. Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

The largest river in the Indian subcontinent, the Ganges is severely polluted with human waste and industrial contaminants. Untreated sewage dumped into the river, industrial waste, agricultural runoff, remnants of partially burned or unburned bodies from funeral pyres, and animal carcasses all contribute to the pollution. High levels of disease-causing bacteria and toxic substances have also been found in the Ganges.

What's the biggest water polluter in the world?

25. Ohio River, United States, 23. Pasig River, Philippines, 21. Niger River, West and Central Africa, 19. Salween River, Southeast Asian, 18. Passaic River, United States, 17. Danube River, Central and Southeastern Europe, 16. Indus River, South and Central Asia, 15. Murray-Darling River, Australia, 13. The Jordan River, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestinian territories, 11. Nile River, Egypt and Sudan, 9. Mississippi River, United States, 7. Yangtze River, China, 5. Sarno River, Italy, 3. Citarum River, Indonesia, 1. Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

Industries, especially those involved in textile production, are major water polluters. Their discharges contain harmful chemicals and heavy metals, which contribute significantly to global water pollution.

Can water pollution be controlled?

25. Ohio River, United States, 23. Pasig River, Philippines, 21. Niger River, West and Central Africa, 19. Salween River, Southeast Asian, 18. Passaic River, United States, 17. Danube River, Central and Southeastern Europe, 16. Indus River, South and Central Asia, 15. Murray-Darling River, Australia, 13. The Jordan River, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Palestinian territories, 11. Nile River, Egypt and Sudan, 9. Mississippi River, United States, 7. Yangtze River, China, 5. Sarno River, Italy, 3. Citarum River, Indonesia, 1. Ganges River, India and Bangladesh

Water pollution can be controlled through robust regulations, improved waste management, and cleaner industrial processes. However, it requires a coordinated effort on a global scale.

Sources: (UNICEF) (Associated Press News) (EcoCation) 

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