Deep dive into Yamuna's toxic water and how it put Chhath devotees at risk

To understand the risk posed by the highly polluted river Yamuna, an India Today team collected water samples from three key locations — Wazirabad, ITO Barrage, and Kalindi Kunj — to examine the river's water quality.

In Short

• Chhath Puja rituals at Yamuna pose health risks due to pollution
• Tests show Yamuna water fails safety standards; unfit for drinking, bathing
• High bacterial content linked to gastrointestinal infections and skin issues

As devotees across Delhi observe the four-day Chhath Puja, which includes rituals along the city’s water bodies, the heavily polluted Yamuna River raised concern over the serious health threat it poses to the public. The pollution level is so high that this week, the Delhi High Court expressed grave concerns, stating that it "cannot allow" rituals along the Yamuna due to the river's "highly polluted" state, warning that "devotees will fall sick."

To understand the risks, an India Today team collected water samples from three key locations along the Yamuna — Wazirabad, ITO Barrage, and Kalindi Kunj — to examine the river’s water quality.

SCIENTIFIC COLLECTION OF WATER SAMPLES

In collaboration with experts from the Shriram Institute for Industrial Research, India Today's team collected water samples using rigorous methods to ensure accuracy. Samples were taken from Wazirabad, ITO Barrage, and Kalindi Kunj, and analysed for 16 critical indicators of water quality.

Wazirabad, where water flows into Delhi’s main supply, was selected to capture the state of water before it reaches the city. Sampling was conducted mid-stream and from a specific depth to maintain its integrity. Immediate tests on-site revealed issues in pH balance, colour, and odour, indicating poor water quality.

ITO Barrage, located in central Delhi, often sees a drastic change in water quality due to untreated sewage. Here, the team assessed factors like electrical conductivity (measuring dissolved salts) and turbidity (water cloudiness).

Samples were carefully preserved in an icebox for lab testing.

The third sample was taken at Kalindi Kunj, where visible foam covered the water surface. This ghat, a significant location for Chhath Puja rituals, has become a point of concern due to excessive frothing, an indicator of pollutants. India Today’s on-site tests also included a check for dissolved oxygen (DO) levels—an essential metric for supporting aquatic life.

LAB TESTING FOR 16 KEY PARAMETERS

The Yamuna water samples were analysed on 16 key parameters, including pH, total alkalinity, hardness, and bacterial presence (with a focus on Coliform bacteria like E. Coli).

A day later, when the test results came out, they painted a worrying picture: all three samples failed to meet the required safety standards, deeming the water "unfit for both drinking and bathing."

What the lab report revealed:

Dissolved Oxygen (DO): Ideal DO levels are 5 or above, but all readings were below this mark.

Bacterial count: WHO guidelines suggest a bacterial count below 100 CFU, but the Yamuna showed extremely high counts.

Ammoniacal Nitrogen: Levels above 1 indicate harmful acidity.

Phosphate levels: High levels contribute to frothing, indicating significant pollution.

E. Coli and Streptococci presence: Indicates untreated sewage discharge.

Health risks: High bacterial content is linked to gastrointestinal and other infections.

EXPERTS ON PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS

Dr Vivek Narayan Singh, Deputy Director at the Shriram Institute, confirmed that the condition of river Yamuna posed a serious health risk to Chhath Puja devotees.

“As far as rituals are concerned, Yamuna water is not suitable for drinking or bathing. But during festivals, people still take dips, and this can lead to gastrointestinal diseases due to high bacteria levels,” Dr Vivek Narayan Singh said.

Dr Singh emphasised that even minimal ingestion of water during ritual immersion could cause health issues, as the bacterial count in the Yamuna far exceeds safe limits.

Pulmonary specialist Dr Dhiren Gupta from Gangaram Hospital warned of immediate health effects from contact with the contaminated water, including skin rashes, allergies, and, in some cases, asthma.

“There can be immediate side effects — eye irritation, rashes, skin allergies, and in some cases, fungal infections,” Dr Gupta noted, adding that even inhalation can pose risks to those with respiratory issues.

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

The test results paint a bleak picture of the Yamuna’s health. All three sampling points — Wazirabad, ITO Barrage, and Kalindi Kunj — failed basic safety standards, underscoring both health hazards for the public and extensive ecological damage.

Dr Singh highlighted the urgent need for stricter sewage treatment and pollution control, warning that without effective action, the Yamuna will continue to pose health risks. Enhanced pollution controls and more effective sewage management are essential for protecting both public health and the environment.