Water quality of River Yamuna – Delhi stretch

Abstract

River Yamuna has been extensively studied with regard to physical and chemical characteristics. It originates from the Yamunotri Glacier at a height 6,387 metres. Earlier the waters of the Yamuna were distinguishable as clear blue, as compared to the silt-laden yellow of the Ganges. However, due to high density population growth and rapid industrialization today Yamuna is one of the most polluted rivers in India, especially around New Delhi, the capital of India, which dumps about 58% of its treated or partially treated waste into the river. The paper presents pollutional aspects of river Yamuna at Delhi (Capital of India). 9 locations were selected and samples were collected on monthly basis from June 2011 to June 2012 during the entire stretch of Yamuna River in Delhi. Parameters studied were Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and pH. Results shows that despite of all efforts pollution load is still increasing making water unfit for consumption.