Home / Environment / Yamuna Froth Battle: 48,000kg Chemical Used
Yamuna Froth Battle: 48,000kg Chemical Used
19 Jan
Summary
- 48,000 kg of defoamer chemical used over 63 days.
- Delhi Jal Board spent approximately ₹80 lakh on chemicals.
- Chemical use was three to four times higher than previous years.
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) deployed 48,000 kilograms of defoamer chemical into the Yamuna River over a 63-day period from October to December last year, costing approximately ₹80 lakh. This initiative near Kalindi Kunj employed a 1:10 chemical dilution ratio, alongside mechanical methods, to manage foam.
This marked the longest anti-froth drive in the river's history, with chemical usage reportedly three to four times higher than in previous years. Concerns were voiced by an activist about the prolonged and excessive use of defoamers, citing potential long-term harm to the river's ecosystem and aquatic life.
While an on-site lab was temporary, water samples continued to be tested at the Okhla laboratory. The frothing, exacerbated during winter months by surfactant molecules in polluted waters, stems from domestic sewage, industrial discharge, and decaying weeds, affecting aquatic life and oxygen levels.
