High levels of Ammonia in Yamuna River

Water supply disrupted in several parts of Delhi

 Water supply was affected at the treatment plants in parts of the national capital by high levels of ammonia in the Yamuna River near Wazirabad. With persistent efforts of Arvind Kejriwal’s government has been able to restore normalcy at Bhagirathi, Sonia Vihar, Chandrawal, Okhla and Wazirabad water treatment plants, as stated by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB).

Due to heavy sewage and industrial discharge from Haryana the water production has been disrupted said Delhi Jal Board (DJB) vice chairman Raghav Chanda. He further informed that the water supply is likely to be affected in East, North East, South Delhi, and parts of the New Delhi Municipal Council area and water tankers have been deployed to resolve the issue.

“Heavy sewage and industrial waste were discharged by Haryana during Diwali in Yamuna. Increased during ammonia levels forced a reduction in water treatment plants (WTPs) operating capacity by 50 per cent. Delhi Jal Board’s marvelous work has led to the WTPs operating at full capacity now,” he said. He further added that “I would like to assure everyone that our team of officers and engineers are working day and night t ensure Delhi residents water woes stay a minimum. Production at Sonia Vihar, Wazirabad, Bhagirathi and Chandrawal treatment plants has also been stabilized, and are currently operating at 100 per cent capacity.”

The DJB water quality management team has increased the dosage of coagulants and disinfectants in raw Yamuna water to control the increased water pollution and to maintain the water quality as per production norms. The level of ammonia in Yamuna had increased to 3ppm affecting water production at Sonia Vihar, Bhagirathi, Chandrawal, Okhla and Wazirabad treatment plants.

Chandra said that he is also in touch with the Haryana government to address the issue of ammonia in Yamuna River. The water production at Wazirabad plant was reduced to 129.37 million gallon per day (MGD) against a 134 MGD capacity. The production at other plants was 83.09 MGD against a 94 MGD capacity at Chandrawal, 49.78 MGD against a 110 MGD capacity at Bhagirithi, and 51.23 MGD against 140 MGD capacity at Sonia Vihar.