Assessment of Water Quality of Najafgarh Drain and Its Impact on River Yamuna

Abstract

Water is one of the basic amenities of life and Yamuna is a major source of water supply for Delhi and nearby states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan etc. Due to the rapid growth of industries and advanced agricultural activities in and around national capital territory Delhi, the deterioration of Yamuna River has become a major concern. The objective of this study is to assess the Water Quality of Najafgarh drain and unveil the present deteriorated condition of Yamuna River in Delhi. A comparison has been made between the water quality of river Yamuna before and after the confluence of Najafgarh Drain into it. The present situation and contamination level of River has been analyzed due to various drains present in the Delhi stretch. The effect of pollution load and waste water added to Yamuna in Delhi is studied by comparing the water quality in river Yamuna at Palla (before entering in Delhi) and at Okhla barrage (the downstream point from where the river Yamuna meets Agra canal and leaves Delhi.). For the study, water samples were collected from six different locations in river and Najafgarh Drain. Experimental results indicated that the water quality of river was comparable with the Drain as most of the parameters were exceeding the prescribed standards for surface water. Overall the study concluded that Yamuna River has been converted into a Drain in Delhi stretch and its water is not suitable for any other purposes without proper and highly efficient treatment system.