Delhi's water supply hit by high ammonia levels

Delhi may have to brace for a severe water shortage over the next few days. The Delhi Jal Board is facing heavy inflow of industrial pollutants from Haryana, forcing it to shut down the Wazirabad and Chandrawal water treatment plants on Tuesday, affecting water supply to nearly one-thirds of the city.

Delhi may have to brace for a severe water shortage over the next few days. The Delhi Jal Board is facing heavy inflow of industrial pollutants from Haryana, forcing it to shut down the Wazirabad and Chandrawal water treatment plants on Tuesday, affecting water supply to nearly one-thirds of the city.

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According to the water utility, it was for the first time that production in these water treatment plants had to be completely stopped.

The DJB warned that the situation may worsen if Haryana doesn't take immediate steps to check industrial discharge into the Yamuna, mainly from drains in Sonepat and Panipat.

"The abnormal rise in the level of ammonia at the Wazirabad pond has resulted in a complete halt in production of 220 MGD of potable water supply from the Wazirabad and Chandrawal water treatment plants," said a DJB official.

The official said that the ammonia level touched an all-time high of 2.6 parts per million against the limit of 0.2 ppm. Water supply was affected in the Walled city and parts of central, south, north Delhi as well as NDMC areas.

"Looking at the seriousness of the matter, if necessary steps are not taken immediately, residents of Delhi may have to face acute shortage of water in the coming days...," the official said.