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Yamuna Cleans Up? Monsoon Brings Mixed Relief to Delhi River
18 Sep
Summary
- Fecal coliform levels decreased in August compared to last year.
- Dissolved oxygen improved, but remains below bathing standards.
- Biochemical oxygen demand increased in most downstream locations.
The Yamuna River experienced a beneficial monsoon flush in August, leading to a notable decrease in sewage contamination at various downstream stretches compared to July and the preceding year. Fecal coliform levels, an indicator of untreated sewage, showed a sharp decline at several points, such as ITO Bridge and Okhla Barrage. This improvement is attributed to increased monsoon flows beginning in early July, which provided the necessary volume to dilute and flush accumulated pollutants.
Despite these positive changes, the river's overall condition remains concerning. Organic pollution is still high, and a large portion of the Yamuna is not yet fit for bathing. While dissolved oxygen levels have risen, they still fall below the required 5 mg/l standard for bathing. Conversely, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), a measure of the water's self-cleaning capacity, increased at most downstream locations, indicating persistent pollution challenges.
