Water supply hit in Lutyens’ Delhi as Yamuna pollution rises

A sudden rise in pollution levels in the Yamuna’s raw water has forced the curtailment of production at the Sonia Vihar Water Treatment Plant, affecting water supply in several parts of Delhi, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) said on Wednesday.

The disruption has affected areas including Khan Market, Lodhi Estate, Golf Links, Jor Bagh, Rabindra Nagar, Bharti Nagar, parts of Lodhi Road, the High Court and the President’s Estate, among others, it said.

According to Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials, ammonia levels rose in the Yamuna river on Wednesday morning.

“The situation is now under control; ammonia levels rose above 1 ppm in Yamuna in the morning on Wednesday for a few hours. All the water treatment plants are working at normal capacity as of now,” a DJB official said.

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Other affected localities include Pandara Road, Pandara Park, Lodhi Colony, B K Dutt Colony, Amrita Shergil Marg, Janpath, Kidwai Nagar, Laxmibai Nagar, New Moti Bagh and Kaka Nagar.

JJ camps near Safdarjung flyover, Delhi Flying Club and Bharti Nagar have also been affected.

The NDMC said the water supply disruption was due to reduced production at the plant following the sudden increase in pollution levels in raw water drawn from the Yamuna.

The civic body has advised residents to contact its control room at 011-23360683 or 1533 for water tanker services.

Residents can also contact NDMC officials for information regarding booster pump operations and water supply, the civic council said.

As per the design of the WTP, DJB is unable to treat raw water with more than 1 ppm of ammonia. The raised ammonia levels thus result in a reduction of water production and, therefore, water supply.