As devotees in Delhi observe the four-day Chhath Puja, which includes rituals along the city’s water bodies, the heavily polluted Yamuna River has sparked concerns over the grave threat it poses to public health. The level of pollution is so high that this week the Delhi High Court expressed serious concernsstating that he “cannot allow” rituals along the Yamuna due to the “highly polluted” state of the river, warning that “devotees will fall ill”.

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 water quality of the river.

SCIENTIFIC COLLECTION OF WATER SAMPLES

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

Wazirabad, where water supplies Delhi’s main supply, was selected to measure the condition of the water before it reaches the city. Sampling was done at mid-stream and at a specific depth to maintain its integrity. Immediate on-site testing revealed problems with pH balance, color and odor, indicating poor water quality.

The ITO Dam, located in central Delhi, often sees a drastic change in water quality due to untreated sewage. Here, the team evaluated factors such as electrical conductivity (a measurement of dissolved salts) and turbidity (turbidity of the water).

The samples were carefully stored in a cooler for laboratory testing.

The third sample was collected from Kalindi Kunj, where visible foam covered the water surface. This ghat, an important place for Chhath Puja rituals, has become a matter of concern due to excessive moss, an indicator of pollutants. India Today’s on-site testing also included a check of dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, a critical measurement for supporting aquatic life.

LABORATORY TESTS FOR 16 KEY PARAMETERS

Yamuna water samples were analyzed on 16 key parameters including pH, total alkalinity, hardness and bacterial presence (with emphasis on coliform bacteria like E. Coli).

A day later, when the test results were released, they painted a worrying picture: all three samples did not meet required safety standards, deeming the water “unfit for drinking and swimming.”

What the lab report revealed:

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

Number of bacteria: WHO guidelines suggest a bacteria count of less than 100 CFU, but the Yamuna showed an extremely high count.

Ammonia nitrogen: Levels above 1 indicate harmful acidity.

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

Presence of E. Coli and streptococci: Indicates a discharge of untreated wastewater.

Health risks: High bacteria levels are linked to gastrointestinal and other infections.

PUBLIC HEALTH RISK EXPERTS

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

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

Dr Singh pointed out that even minimal ingestion of water during ritual immersion could lead to health problems as the number of bacteria in the Yamuna far exceeds the safe limits.

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

“There may 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 people suffering from breathing problems.

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

The test results paint a grim picture of Yamuna’s health. All three sampling points – Wazirabad, ITO Barrage and Kalindi Kunj – failed to meet basic safety standards, highlighting both public health risks and significant 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. Improved pollution controls and more effective wastewater management are essential to protect both public health and the environment.