Yamuna's Froth Is Due To The Use Of Domestic Detergents, Finds Delhi Pollution Control Committee

The Delhi Pollution Control Committe informed the National Green Tribunal-appointed Yamuna Monitoring Committee that due to the use of domestic detergents, high phosphate levels are causing frothing in the Yamuna, reported Times of India. A detailed report was done on why frothing was seen in the river.

AFP

Last week, both the DPCC and CPCB were asked to look into the issue after pictures of froth in the river started doing the rounds on social media. A site visit was conducted by DPCC officials after that. They detected froth at locations where there was a change in the level of the river, or wherever new water was being introduced.

¡°The river was found to be having high phosphate content, which primarily comes from laundry detergents. There is no froth formation when there is a normal flow, but if there is a change in elevation or new water is introduced, the phosphate rises to the surface, mixing with the water to create foam on the surface,¡± a DPCC official explained.

TOI

Last month, Delhi Jal Board had cut down water supply at Okhla, Wazirabad and Chandrawala water treatment plants after finding traces of high levels of pollutants in the river. DPCC officials have said that there is no immediate solution to the problem and that with an increased flow of water is likely to help reduce the froth.

¡°In the long term, only the completion of tapping each drain with Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) will remove this problem,¡± the official added.

He also said, ¡°A large chunk of the pollution in the river actually comes from domestic sewage and not industries. Tapping both sources is essential and that will still take a couple of years. Until then, frothing will continue to occur at times."

The Yamuna Monitoring Committee was appointed by NGT in 2018 to help fix the river and was re-appointed last month. It has directed CPCB and DPCC to do monthly checks on the river and gather data to help rejuvenate it.