There seems to be no imminent solution to Delhi’s water crisis as the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) recently dropped an update indicating that water supply would be restored to full capacity after February 4. Of the nine large water treatment plants, only 3 are currently at full capacity. This means that six of its water treatment plants are either non-functional or operating at a fraction of their capacity.
In a post on X, the Delhi Jal Board said: “Due to temporary interruption of raw water supply by Haryana Irrigation & WR Department, water production has been affected in some parts of Delhi. DJB is monitoring the situation closely and making all possible efforts to rationalize and manage water supply. Residents are advised to use water judiciously during this period.”
The DJB on Thursday confirmed the complete shutdown of the city’s largest facility, the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant (WTP). It supplies 110 million gallons per day (MGD) to Central, North, South and New Delhi areas. This affected water supply in New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Old Delhi, Model City and Defense Colony zone, among others.
Unplanned maintenance of Haryana’s Munak canal has worsened the capital’s water crisis. According to the DJB, on January 19, it received a notice from the Haryana Irrigation Department to close the canal, which is a vital pipeline for Delhi. This affected six water treatment plants – Dwarka, Bawana, Nangloi, Haiderpur Phase I, II and III. This maintenance activity cut the supply of raw water from the source in half.
On Wednesday, the DJB said water supply was temporarily suspended at several places receiving drinking water from the Wazirabad and Chandrawal Water Treatment Plants due to the presence of high levels of ammonia and pollutants in the water of the Jamuna river.
The total disruption of water supply has resulted in a 1,000 MGD blackout affecting almost the entire Delhi – North, North West, West, South West and Central Delhi, Hindustan Times reported. According to NDMC officials, water supply has been reduced by 45-50% even in the Delhi Lutyens zone, the administrative center of the capital. DJB indicated that 25-50% water production at Wazirabad and Chandrawal WWTPs was affected, “Water supply will be available at low pressure until the situation improves.”
The DJB listed numerous affected areas under its jurisdiction, including Pitampura, Rajouri Garden, Kirti Nagar, Delhi Cantt, Dwarka, IGI Airport, Sadar Bazar, Rohini, RK Puram, Moti Bagh, Sarojini Nagar, Shivaji Stadium, Punjabi Bagh, ISBT, Delhi Gate, Model Town, ITO, Rajghat, Rajghat, Indergol, parts of Manghat, Indergol, Indergoli among others.
