Delhi is facing a water shortage in many parts, including East, Northeast, and South Delhi. Officials explain that the water cuts in these areas are because of rising ammonia levels in the Yamuna River. The situation is expected to improve within the first week of November.
Residents Face Water Crisis
Low to no water pressure has been reported since October 22 in several areas of Delhi. Residents express frustration over the challenging situation in their daily lives, especially as the rest of the country celebrates Diwali.
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has been providing water tankers but the public is unhappy with the service as they claim that the supply is inconsistent and the water tankers are inadequate in number. DJB is performing poorly in supplying hygienic clean water In some places, residents have also reported about the dirty water supply. They argue that the water coming through DJB pipelines is muddy and is unusable.
Residents have complained about receiving unhygienic or inadequate water supply, but they report that their complaints have gone unresolved by the Delhi Jal Board’s customer service (1916). Hindrance in the regular supply of clean water is causing further trouble for residents. DJB has also failed to provide satisfactory information on developments regarding the issue.
Some people have turned to buying water from private suppliers. This then becomes the issue of class as many can not afford to buy water from the market on a regular basis.
(Picture by Grapevine)
Delhi Jal Board’s Struggles
DJB attributes the poor quality of water to rising ammonia levels in the Yamuna, which surpasses their treatment capacity. It is reported that DJB has faced the challenge of treating high levels of ammonia in Yamuna water, originating from Haryana, since last year. The water cuts are unfortunate but necessary.
Officials reported that the raw water supply from the Upper Ganga Canal is restricted as the canal is currently under maintenance.
The Sonia Vihar plant, which supplies South Delhi, has been affected by the closure of the Upper Ganga Canal. It had a capacity of producing 140 million gallons of water a day, but production has been disrupted since October 21. Since the canal is under annual maintenance, the issue is that the plant depends on the Yamuna River for its raw supply. Unfortunately, due to high ammonia levels and pollution, this is not feasible this time, leading to a reduced production rate at the plant.
Another plant, Bhagirathi WTP, which supplies water to North and East Delhi, is also faced with the same fate. According to reports, these plants are only working at 30% of their capacity.
The Delhi Jal Board recently issued a notice informing residents that the water shortage may persist until November 1st. They assure residents that DJB is doing its best to resolve the issue, but it is advised to store water if possible and use it mindfully.
