The quality of river water will not improve unless the flow in the river is increased. The Yamuna remains stagnant for almost nine months of the year. With no flow there is no dilution of the river downstream. Given the overall shortage of water in the Yamuna basin, the possibility of additional fresh water becoming available for dilution appears to be remote in the foreseeable future. Therefore, to improve the quality of river water, innovative and holistic approaches including creating wetlands in the floodplains, recycling of waste water (and thereby reducing the demand for fresh water, rain water harvesting, creating off river reservoirs upstream of Wazirabad both in Haryana and Delhi, improving water use efficiency of agriculture and gradual switching over from water intensive agronomic practices need to be introduced. Almost 85% water that is diverted from river Yamuna through barrages at Hathanikund is used for agriculture and therefore water conservation through improved agricultural practices is crucial to improving the flow in the river Yamuna.

Using Waste Water Efficiently

It is critical for treated sewage waste water which is presently being released into drains is harnessed for non- domestic uses like washing operations in factories, service stations, metro and bus transport hubs. It must be made mandatory for watering parks and gardens. Only 20% of treated waste water is being used efficiently which needs to change as the water table in Delhi has declined to alarming levels.

The Delhi Government has announced that all major parks and green belt areas have to make arrangements for decentralized waste water treatment systems near to a feeding point to be provided by DJB. They can lift raw sewerage from the sewer line, treat it and use for their horticulture needs according to the Delhi Jal Board.

Courtesy:  DDA, Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan