On at least five instances in 2020, high levels of ammonia in Yamuna have prompted the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to reduce or stop water production at its plants.
Increasing pollution in the Yamuna causes frequent disruption to Delhi’s water supply. Delhi blames Haryana for this, and here is why.
What happens when ammonia levels increase?
Ammonia is used as an industrial chemical in the production of fertilisers, plastics, dyes and other products.
It also occurs naturally in the environment from the breakdown of organic waste matter, including sewage.
The recommended concentration in Yamuna is 0.9 ppm keeping in line with Delhi Jal Board’s (DJB) treatment capacity.
When it rises beyond this, water production at 3 out of 9 water treatment plants (Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla) have to be stopped or reduced.
This impacts water supply to parts of Delhi city.
Why is Haryana blamed?
The Yamuna flows into Delhi from Haryana.
Haryana has industrial units in Sonipat, which is close to Delhi’s northern border.
A specific area where both Haryana and Delhi agree on is the mixing of two drains carrying drinking water and sewage/ industrial waste/both in Sonipat district.
Drain number 8 brings potable water to the capital and drain number 6 carries wastewater.
The two drains often mix due to overflow or damage to the wall that separates them.
Haryana’s irrigation department is expected to start a tendering process to build a conduit pipeline and prevent the mixing of two drains.
Delhi’s concern - Delhi blames Haryana for releasing industrial effluents in the river “despite repeated reminders.”
The issue is brought into focus every time the concentration of ammonia increases in the river.
DJB officials state that the spike in pollution level has been more frequent in 2020.
Also, Delhi at present receives much less than the share of water they deserve.
DJB asks the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) to look into the issue.
What is the solution?
The laying of a conduit pipeline to separate drain number 8 and 6 would reduce pollution of potable water.
However, it is not clear when this would be completed.
The National Green Tribunal-appointed Yamuna Monitoring Committee has also said that fast-track approvals should be given to build a conduit.
Moreover, the Committee had also recommended to the Ministry of Jal Shakti to rework the 1994 water sharing pact.
It is a pact among Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
The recommendation is based on the need to revive the Yamuna by releasing more fresh water into it.
This would help maintain a certain environmental flow for the river to sustain its functions throughout the year.
Meanwhile, Delhi Jal Board should increase its capacity to treat ammonia levels in the water.
Ozone-based units to treat ammonia levels up to 4ppm should be installed at Chandrawal and Wazirabad water treatment plants.
