Luxembourg has begun a large-scale clean-up of its rivers

The Luxembourg Ministry of the Environment has launched a national campaign to clean up the banks of the Alzette and Chiers rivers. Over the next two weeks, a total of 13 municipalities will carry out the work. The initiative is aimed not only at collecting rubbish, but also at preventing flooding and protecting ecosystems.

The problem is systemic. Waste that ends up in rivers harms biodiversity and can obstruct the natural flow of water. Blockages increase the risk of flooding, especially during periods of heavy rainfall. On the very first day of the campaign in Ehlerange, along the Kiemelbach stream, a tributary of the Alzette, a significant amount of rubbish was collected, ranging from plastic bottles and glass to construction waste.

According to Steve Gierenz (LSAP), member of the Sanem municipal council for environmental issues, the contents of some of the bags were revealing: among the finds were sanitary pads and wet wipes. He emphasised that such waste should be disposed of with household waste and not flushed down the drain. It is through sewage systems, as well as under the influence of wind and rain, that a significant portion of waste ends up in water bodies.

Ministry representative Lisa Van der Weken noted that, in addition to environmental risks, there is also an aesthetic aspect, especially in public areas such as parks. However, the key threat is related to water pollution and the risk to small animals, which may ingest plastic and other waste.

The campaign also serves a diagnostic function. According to David Hengen from the environmental service, teams assess the condition of the banks, the nature of the current and the overall level of pollution. Local residents are also involved in the work, including a farmer who is very familiar with the area. This data will form the basis for future river renaturalisation projects — restoring rivers to their natural state.