What did the TERI report reveal about Yamuna's ammonia levels?

The TERI report, accepted by the Delhi government, found ammonia levels in the Yamuna River to be significantly higher, reaching up to 30.6 mg/l, contradicting official Delhi Jal Board data.

Why are high ammonia levels in Yamuna a concern for Delhi residents?

Levels above 0.95 to 1 mg/l of ammonia make river water untreatable for drinking, posing a direct risk to Delhi's potable water supply and public health.

What questions are raised by the TERI report and DJB discrepancies?

The disparities prompt questions about the reliability of the Delhi Jal Board's monitoring systems and the transparency of its water quality data.

Home / Environment / Yamuna Frothing: TERI Report Contradicts Delhi Jal Board Claims

Yamuna Frothing: TERI Report Contradicts Delhi Jal Board Claims

4 Jan

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Summary

TERI report shows ammonia levels 27.4-30.6 mg/l, DJB claims max 5 mg/l.
Water with over 0.95-1 mg/l ammonia is untreatable for drinking.
Report discrepancies raise questions on DJB's monitoring and public safety.

Yamuna Frothing: TERI Report Contradicts Delhi Jal Board Claims

A recent report by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), officially accepted by the Delhi government, has exposed critical disparities in the monitoring of the Yamuna River's water quality. The report, released in December 2025, documented ammonia levels as high as 30.6 mg/l downstream of Wazirabad on December 17, 2024, a period when the city experienced an ammonia spike. This finding directly contradicts the Delhi Jal Board's (DJB) official data for the same month, which claimed a maximum ammonia concentration of only 5 mg/l in similar locations.

These stark differences are alarming because water containing more than 0.95 to 1 mg/l of ammonia is considered untreatable for drinking. The TERI report also indicated high ammonia levels at various sewage and effluent treatment plants and drains throughout 2024 and 2025, differing from DJB's official claims. These discrepancies have fueled speculation about the reliability of DJB's water quality testing mechanisms and why such crucial data is not routinely made public.