Muhammad Iqbal, Jakarta – Residents near the Rawa Buntu River on Jalan Artowijaya, Serpong, South Tangerang, were alarmed when the water suddenly turned bright red last Saturday afternoon, October 4, 2025. A video showing the dramatic color change quickly went viral on social media.
The footage revealed that the entire shallow but steady river flow had turned red. Local residents immediately suspected pollution from a coloring substance. "The first time it happened, the water was black, according to the residents," said Fata, a witness to the change in the Rawa Buntu River's water color.
Interviewed on Monday, October 6, 2025, Fata disclosed that the red flow had no accompanying strong odor. "There's no smell, and there are no factories here," he stated.
Head of Ciater Urban Village, Rosidi, confirmed the incident and claimed to have coordinated with neighborhood officials to trace the source of the pollution. "This is the second time this has happened," Rosidi told Antara.
The Head of Pollution Control and Environmental Monitoring at the South Tangerang City Environmental Agency, Carsono, suggested the water was likely contaminated by food coloring, not fabric dye, though he is still trying to confirm this.
"The team has traced the flow from the upstream at Tandon Ciater to the residential area in front of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Regional Office," he said. Tandon Ciater is an artificial flood control reservoir located on Jalan Widya Kencana Ciater, Buaran, Serpong District.
Carsono promised to take action against the polluters once they are identified. "We will call them. In principle, whatever their business, they are not allowed to pollute the environment," he affirmed.
Meanwhile, Mayor of South Tangerang, Benyamin Davnie, stated that he has not received any official reports regarding the cause of the pollution. According to him, the water condition at Tandon Ciater, which is the river's source, is normal.
"The water in the reservoir is good in terms of pH and others. Yet the river in Ciater turns red, and it only lasts for 10 to 15 minutes," said Benyamin.
Benyamin noted that he finds the incident suspicious because the area has no registered factories. Crucially, there have been no complaints about a strange odor or smell from local residents, and no reports of animal deaths, such as fish or frogs, in the river.