Afan Oromo`s reporter Jalene interviewed residents of Akaki, Modjo and Sebeta who claim that children and adults have suffered skin blisters, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections and liver disease. Some have died because these communities are dependent on the rivers as source of drinking water.

Residents and farmers say that animals that drink the river waters suffer hair loss and become crippled. In the dry season, commercial farmers use the water from the river to irrigate crops of tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower and other vegetables. The grasses of these farmlands turn red during the irrigation season.

Residents of Sebeta say that for the last 10 years they have been complaining to regional administrators about industrial wastes. The NGO APAP Ethiopia filed a law suit against manufacturers in the industrial zone and have had the water tested. A recent Al Jazzeera documentary featured similar claims of industrial pollution on the nearby Koka River, which will be the subject of further reporting in this series when Jalene interviews government officials familiar with the pollution charges.