Home / Environment / Yamuna Froth Reaches Wazirabad: Delhi's Water Supply Threatened
Yamuna Froth Reaches Wazirabad: Delhi's Water Supply Threatened
4 Mar
Summary
- Toxic froth and stench detected at Wazirabad barrage, a key Delhi water source.
- Water quality reports show rising faecal coliform and organic pollutants.
- Activists suspect Haryana drains and industrial discharge as pollution sources.
Toxic froth and a strong ammoniacal stench have been observed at the Wazirabad barrage, a critical source of drinking water for Delhi. This development is raising alarms, as such pollution is typically seen further downstream. Activists express concern that contamination may now be affecting upstream stretches of the Yamuna, previously considered cleaner.
Recent water quality reports from November and December indicated undesirable levels of faecal coliform, phosphate, and ammoniacal nitrogen. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) levels have also deteriorated, signaling poor river health. Faecal coliform counts at Wazirabad exceeded desirable limits, with COD increasing from Palla to Wazirabad.
Activists suspect untreated effluents from drains in Haryana, such as drain number 8, and industrial activities as probable causes for the pollution. They suggest that pollutants might be seeping into channels meant for Delhi's drinking water supply. Investigations are underway to identify if industrial discharge or detergents are contributing to the froth.
In response to past incidents of fish deaths linked to water quality issues, the National Mission for Clean Ganga had previously instructed Haryana to cover drains and share water quality reports. Authorities are now urged to examine the sources of this new pollution at Wazirabad promptly.
