High ammonia content in Yamuna; DJB says parts of Delhi to face water shortage till November 1

The Delhi Jal Board announced  that several areas of the national capital will experience a water shortage until November 1 due to elevated ammonia levels in the Yamuna River.

This shortage will impact parts of east, northeast, and south Delhi, as well as regions under the New Delhi Municipal Council, according to the board.

“The 110 million gallons per day (MGD) Bhagirathi Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and the 140 MGD Sonia Vihar WTP receive raw water from the Upper Ganga Canal in Muradnagar, Uttar Pradesh. However, the canal was closed at midnight on October 12 for scheduled maintenance by the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department, lasting until October 31,” the Jal Board stated.

The closure allows the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department and UP Jal Nigam to conduct necessary repairs and maintenance, which has halted the supply of Ganga water to these WTPs, it added.

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In response, the plants are relying on the Yamuna as a temporary raw water source until October 31. However, due to the high ammonia concentration—exceeding 1.5 parts per million (ppm)—treating this raw water has become challenging, the Delhi Jal Board explained.

“Consequently, production at the Bhagirathi and Sonia Vihar plants has been reduced by up to 30%, with further production contingent on the quality of the Yamuna’s raw water, which may cause output to fluctuate,” it noted.

The board has advised Delhi residents to store sufficient water in advance and use it sparingly. Additionally, water tankers will be made available upon request through the Jal Board’s helpline or central control room.

(With inputs from PTI)