COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY AND WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF NORTH CENTRAL DELHI AQUATIC BASIN

Abstract

In this work, water samples were collected from five distinct locations in the North-Central Delhi aquatic basin (Western Yamuna Canal, Haiderpur–Badli Canal, Bhalswa Lake, Yamuna River at Vasudev Ghat, and Naini Lake) on the same day. The set of samples was collected during the winter season to evaluate water quality under low-flow and high-concentration conditions. Over the due course of time, various parameters regarding the water quality were analyzed, and the Indian Standard: 10500 (Drinking Water Specifications) was used to verify the acceptability of the water. The analyzed parameters included Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), determination of pH, determination of chloride content, Total Hardness (including permanent and temporary components), and Free Residual Chlorine. Experimental results revealed pH levels (6.88–7.67) remained within the permissible range of 6.5–8.5, most other parameters indicated severe degradation. Total Hardness was found to be at an absolute maximum value of 1,000 mg/l in Badli Village, whereas TDS content in Yamuna River (976 mg/l) was extremely above its desirable level of 500 mg/l. Moreover, an extremely hazardous concentration of Free Residual Chlorine was measured in Yamuna River (35.5 mg/l), which is almost 177 times its permissible level and poses serious hazards of carcinogen byproduct formation. The concentration of Total Suspended Solids was also very alarming in flowing canals, being more than 1,467 mg/l. The majority of the parameters studied were found to be not in their desirable level for drinking water, which clearly indicates the dominating anthropogenic effects on the basin. Hence, appropriate measures, such as decentralized wastewater treatment and stricter industrial discharge mandates, were suggested to improve the quality of water and protect the health of the surrounding urban community.