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Delhi residents are bracing for water shortages this week, a consequence of ongoing maintenance work on the Upper Ganga Canal and elevated ammonia levels in the Yamuna River. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has issued an alert, citing the impact of these factors on water supply. The maintenance work on the Upper Ganga Canal has resulted in a reduction of water flow, impacting the Bhagirathi and Sonia Vihar Water Treatment Plants (WTPs), which rely on raw water from the canal. These plants are currently operating at a mere 30% capacity.
The canal was closed from Haridwar on October 12th as part of the scheduled annual maintenance conducted by the UP Irrigation Department. This maintenance involved repairs on barrages and regulators, desilting storage tanks and sedimentation facilities, and the repair of water conduits. While temporary water supply was sustained through ponding, the Ganga water flow was fully halted on October 21st. Consequently, both Bhagirathi and Sonia Vihar WTPs have become dependent on the Yamuna River as an alternate water source until October 31st.
However, the Yamuna River currently faces elevated ammonia levels exceeding 1.5 ppm, making water treatment challenging. This has further hindered production at the Bhagirathi and Sonia Vihar plants, restricting them to 30% of their capacity. The DJB has stated that future water production will depend on the quality of raw water from the Yamuna, and adjustments will be made accordingly. The water supply disruption is expected to affect several regions of Delhi, including East Delhi, North East Delhi, parts of South Delhi, and areas under the NDMC jurisdiction. Notably, areas like Gokulpuri, Sonia Vihar, Karawal Nagar, Babarpur, and Dilshad Garden are among those facing potential water shortages.
The DJB has expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the water supply disruption, emphasizing the temporary nature of the situation. The board has assured residents that water supply will be restored once the maintenance work on the Upper Ganga Canal is completed and the ammonia levels in the Yamuna River subside. Residents are advised to conserve water and use it judiciously during this period.
Source: Delhi Jal Board issues alert, says supply to be affected till November 1