Faecal contamination, a key indicator of untreated sewage, peaked at 1.5 million MPN/100ml by the point the river exited Delhi, far above the appropriate restrict of 500 items for outside bathing.
Yamuna stays severely polluted regardless of partial enhancements, says April DPCC report
The newest evaluation by the Delhi Air pollution Management Committee (DPCC) reveals that the Yamuna river stays closely polluted, with sure parameters worsening in April. Faecal contamination, a key indicator of untreated sewage, peaked at 1.5 million MPN/100ml by the point the river exited Delhi, far above the appropriate restrict of 500 items for outside bathing.
This marks a rise from 1.3 million MPN/100ml in March 2025 and a pointy distinction to April 2024 ranges, which had been recorded at 430,000 items.
Sewage therapy vegetation underperforming
In a separate report, the DPCC discovered that 16 out of Delhi Jal Board’s 37 sewage therapy vegetation (STPs) failed to satisfy prescribed requirements in April. These vegetation are important to sustaining water high quality, and their poor efficiency is straight linked to air pollution ranges within the river. The discharge of untreated or partially handled sewage into the Yamuna, particularly by way of main drains just like the Najafgarh and Shahadara, continues to be one of many largest sources of contamination.
Biochemical oxygen demand reveals slight enchancment
The river’s biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), which signifies the quantity of oxygen wanted to interrupt down natural matter, noticed a marginal enchancment. In April, BOD ranges dropped to 56 mg/l from 70 mg/l in March. Whereas this reveals a modest constructive pattern, the degrees stay far above acceptable limits, indicating the river water’s poor self-purifying capability.
Phosphate ranges decline considerably
One of many extra encouraging findings within the April evaluation was a drop in phosphate concentrations. Beforehand linked to detergent and textile business discharge, phosphate ranges peaked at 5.77 mg/l in March however dropped to 1.92 mg/l in April. This decline marks a major enchancment, though air pollution ranges proceed rising downstream from the Nizamuddin Bridge.
Regardless of minor enhancements in some areas, the dissolved oxygen (DO) stage — a key indicator of aquatic life — remained at zero in April, as has been the case for years. This continued absence of DO means that the river stays biologically lifeless because it leaves Delhi.
Although there are indicators of slight progress in phosphate and BOD ranges, the general situation of the Yamuna stays poor. Rising faecal contamination, underperforming STPs and persistently lifeless water high quality spotlight ongoing challenges within the effort to wash the river. The DPCC report underlines the pressing want for sustained interventions and stricter air pollution management measures.