Yamuna's toxicity disrupts water supply in Delhi ahead of Diwali

The Yamuna's pollution has worsened, with a thick layer of toxic froth covering the river. This froth, containing harmful chemicals, poses significant health risks, including respiratory problems and skin irritations. 

In Short

• Ganga supply halted for maintenance from October 21 to 31
• Yamuna's high ammonia levels reduce plant capacity by 30%
• Key areas in South, East, and North East Delhi face water shortages

The pollution levels in the Yamuna River have disrupted the water supply across various regions in Delhi, posing a critical challenge for the city's residents ahead of Diwali.

Normally, the Bhagirathi and Sonia Vihar water treatment plants, which have a combined capacity of 250 million gallons per day (MGD) — 140 MGD from Sonia Vihar and 110 MGD from Bhagirathi — get their water from the Ganga. However, due to the annual maintenance and repair works being carried out by the UP Irrigation Department and UP Jal Nigam, the Ganga water supply has been halted from October 21 onwards.

As a contingency measure, these plants have turned to the Yamuna River for raw water until the supply resumes after October 31.

However, the high ammonia levels, exceeding 1.5 ppm (parts per million), present a substantial treatment challenge, leading to a reduction in operational capacity by up to 30 per cent.

The Yamuna's pollution has worsened, with a thick layer of toxic froth covering the river. This froth, containing harmful chemicals, poses significant health risks, including respiratory problems and skin irritations.

This has directly affected several key areas in the national capital, including affluent South Delhi localities such as Greater Kailash, Vasant Kunj, Malviya Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, and Panchsheel Park.

Aside from this, comprehensive regions across East Delhi, North East Delhi, and parts of the NDMC area experience significant water shortages. Notable areas affected include Gokulpuri, Shahdara, Mayur Vihar, Patparganj, Vishvakarma Park, and many more. Residents are advised to conserve water and plan its usage cautiously during this period.