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Yamuna Sludge Triggers Delhi Water Crisis
12 Aug
Summary
- Accumulated sludge in Yamuna may cause ammonia spikes affecting Delhi's water.
- Delhi Jal Board can treat ammonia up to 1 ppm; new plant boosts capacity.
- Dredging of Wazirabad pondage planned after monsoon to remove silt.
Preliminary findings suggest that accumulated sludge in the Yamuna's Wazirabad bed could be contributing to recent ammonia spikes that have disrupted Delhi's water supply. Studies are underway by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at the request of the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) to pinpoint the causes of these recurring issues.
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) can currently treat ammonia levels up to 1 ppm. Beyond this, operations at the Wazirabad and Chandrawal water treatment plants are significantly impacted. To address this, the DJB is commissioning a new plant at Chandrawal, which is expected to quadruple its ammonia treatment capacity.
A project to dredge and revive the Wazirabad pondage area, removing approximately 387,000 cubic metres of silt, has been approved and is slated to begin after mid-September, following the monsoon season. However, officials caution that this dredging might only offer a temporary solution, as fresh accumulation could occur if nitrogen-rich water continues to flow into the river.
Water quality reports from August 4 indicate deterioration in the Yamuna, even in the traditionally cleaner stretch between Palla and Wazirabad. Faecal coliform levels exceeded acceptable limits, and dissolved oxygen was below the prescribed standard, highlighting the overall poor state of the river due to the influx from numerous drains.
