Delhi’s Water Crisis Deepens: Ammonia Pollution in Yamuna Sparks Environmental and Political Tensions

Introduction

Recent developments have brought renewed attention to the ongoing water crisis in Delhi, largely caused by rising ammonia pollution in the Yamuna River. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the Haryana government of releasing excessive ammonia-laden wastewater into the river. The situation has triggered both environmental and political debates, raising concerns about the sustainability of Delhi’s water supply system.

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Understanding Ammonia Pollution

• Ammonia (NH₃) is a colourless gas with a pungent odour, used in:
  • Fertiliser production
  • Cleaning agents
  • Industrial processes

🔬 Major sources of ammonia in water:

• Agricultural runoff
• Industrial effluents
• Untreated domestic sewage

☣️ When ammonia enters water bodies, it disrupts water quality, harms aquatic life, and complicates treatment processes for human consumption.

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Impact on Delhi’s Water Supply

• The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) can only treat water with ammonia levels below 1 part per million (ppm).
• In winter, when freshwater inflow decreases, ammonia concentrations rise above treatable limits.
• Result: ❌ Disrupted water supply to millions of residents
• Health risks increase due to reliance on unsafe or inconsistent water delivery

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How Ammonia-Laden Water is Treated

The DJB uses chlorine treatment to neutralise ammonia:

• Requires approx. 11.5 kg of chlorine per litre of water per 1 ppm of ammonia
• Treatment must maintain residual chlorine to kill pathogens
• Rising ammonia levels:
  • Decrease chlorine’s effectiveness
  • Increase treatment complexity and cost
  • Delay water delivery

⚠️ High ammonia = Lower disinfection capacity = Higher public health risks

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Delayed Government Responses

🔧 Delhi Government’s Measures

• Proposed an Ammonia Treatment Plant at Wazirabad in March 2023
• Still under construction, delaying critical infrastructure needed for safe water supply

🏭 Haryana’s Role

• Accused of allowing industrial and agricultural waste to enter the Yamuna
• Critics say regulatory enforcement remains inadequate

🤝 Collaborative interstate action is essential, but has been lacking so far

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The Yamuna River System: Lifeline Under Pressure

• Origin: Yamunotri Glacier, Uttarakhand
• Flows through: Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh
• Merges with: Ganga at Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj

🌊 Significance:

• Provides drinking water, irrigation, and support for ecosystems
• Considered sacred and central to North India’s water systems

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Major Tributaries of the Yamuna River

Each tributary contributes uniquely to the river’s health and flow:

Tributary	Key Feature
Tons	Largest tributary, originates in Uttarakhand
Giri	Supports agriculture in Himachal Pradesh
Hindon	Faces heavy urban pollution
Chambal	Known for relatively cleaner flow and biodiversity

Preserving the health of these tributaries is essential for ensuring the overall integrity of the Yamuna basin.

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Conclusion

The ammonia pollution crisis in the Yamuna River is both a public health emergency and a wake-up call for water governance in India. Immediate action, accountability, and collaboration between Delhi and Haryana are essential to safeguard Delhi’s water future. As the capital’s population continues to grow, the need for sustainable, science-based river management becomes more urgent than ever.