Excess ammonia level to hit water supply
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) reduced water production by almost 25% each at Wazirabad and Chandrawal treatment plants on Wednesday. The step was taken due to increased ammonia levels in the Yamuna water.
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) reduced water production by almost 25% each at Wazirabad and Chandrawal treatment plants on Wednesday. The step was taken due to increased ammonia levels in the Yamuna water.
As a result, several areas in central and north Delhi and the NDMC areas are likely to face water problems on Thursday morning. The ammonia level started increasing since early morning and reached 1.79 PPM by afternoon. The permissible limit is just .4 PPM. This prompted the DJB to lower the production by 25% each at the two plants. Ammonia level in water rises when Haryana discharges industrial and domestic waste into the Yamuna.
“We have reduced production by 25% at the Chandrawal and Wazirabad plants. However, Haryana has released additional water and the pollutants are being flushed off,” said Debashree Mukherjee, CEO, DJB.
As per the revised BIS 10500: 2012 drinking water specifications of the government of India, additional testing requirements are needed for ammonia, chloramines, barium, molybdenum and other pollutants. DJB uses chlorine and alum to treat excess ammonia. Sources said, “Reaction with chlorine gives secondary and tertiary amines, which can be a health hazard. However, DJB continues to deal it in an old manner.”
Mukherjee said, “As on date, the process involves dealing with certain levels of ammonia and carrying out treatment for it in a specific manner. For this, we reduce the production and do not shut the plant.”