Kejriwal v/s Haryana Govt: Reason for high ammonia level in Yamuna in Delhi

Why in the NEWS?

• Aam Aadmi Party has alleged that the Haryana government is deliberately releasing dangerous levels of ammonia into the Yamuna, endangering Delhi's water supply.

Key Points:

• Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP-led Haryana government of deliberately poisoning Delhi's water supply.
• Kejriwal filed a complaint against the former chief minister, accusing the Haryana government of releasing dangerous ammonia levels into the Yamuna.
• Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met Election Commission officials and alleged that the Haryana government was deliberately releasing high levels of ammonia into the Yamuna.
• The allegation was that high levels of ammonia were endangering Delhi's water supply, which could have serious health implications for people.

What will you read next in this topic?

1. What is Ammonia?
2. Uses of Ammonia:
3. Sources of Ammonia Pollution:
4. Health effects of ammonia:
5. Treatment of Ammonia-containing Water:
6. Ammonia issue in Delhi:

What is Ammonia?

• Ammonia (NH₃) is a colourless, pungent-smelling gas. It dissolves easily in water and is known as a major pollutant. 
• This gas is usually used in industries and agriculture, but when it is in excess in water sources or the environment, it can cause pollution.

Uses of Ammonia:

Agriculture:

• Ammonia is mainly used as a fertilizer. 
• It is a major source of nitrogen, which is essential for plant growth. 
• Ammonia is used in agriculture to improve soil quality and increase crop yields.

Industry:

• Ammonia is used in many industrial processes, such as cooling systems, cleaning agents, plastic production, paper industry, and animal feed production. 
• This gas is important for industries that manufacture these products.

Food Industry:

• Ammonia is used as a food additive in the food industry. 
• It is used as a preservative in some types of food and a limited amount of it is acceptable for food safety.

Sources of Ammonia Pollution:

Agriculture:

• Nitrogenous fertilizers run off from agricultural land, which reaches water bodies and causes ammonia pollution. 
• When excessive fertilizer is used in fields, it dissolves in water and pollutes rivers and lakes.

Industrial Waste:

• Waste from industries that use ammonia is also a major source of pollution. 
• This waste can enter water sources through runoff.

Sewage:

• Ammonia release from untreated sewage and sewage also causes pollution. 
• When sewage is not properly treated, it contains ammonia and other harmful chemicals that leach into water.

Natural Sources:

• Ammonia is also released naturally from the degradation of organic matter such as blue-green algae. 
• Although this process is natural, excessive algae growth (such as an algal bloom) can increase ammonia levels.

Health effects of ammonia:

Respiratory problems:

• Exposure to ammonia gas can affect the respiratory system, causing shortness of breath, coughing and sore throat. 
• In high concentrations, the gas can cause respiratory problems such as asthma.

Damage to internal organs:

• Long-term exposure can cause ammonia to have serious effects on internal organs, especially the lungs and kidneys. 
• It can cause health problems by damaging the organs.

Skin and eye irritation:

• Exposure to ammonia can cause skin and eye irritation. 
• It can cause swelling, redness and irritation of the skin, while burning and pain in the eyes.

Treatment of Ammonia-containing Water

Use of Chlorine:

• Chlorine helps neutralise ammonia, but it requires a large amount of chlorine. 11.5 kg of chlorine needs to be added per hour for every litre of water.

After the treatment process:

• A small amount of chlorine should remain in the treated water, so that pathogens can be killed and the water is purified.

Reduced Efficiency in winters:

• In winters, when ammonia levels are high, the efficiency of water treatment plants goes down. 
• This makes it difficult for them to remove ammonia completely and effectively, and the water quality gets affected.

Ammonia issue in Delhi

• The high levels of ammonia have become a significant problem for the water supply and environment in Delhi. 
• There are various reasons for this problem, which impact the Yamuna river, water treatment plants, and the water supply of Delhiites. 

Sources of pollution

• Dye units and industrial factories:
  • Dye units, distilleries, and other industrial factories located in Panipat and Sonipat districts are the major sources of ammonia in the Yamuna. 
  • The chemicals and wastewater released from these industries contain ammonia, which gets dissolved in the river and increases pollution.
• Sewage from colonies:
  • Untreated sewage released from Delhi colonies also causes the ammonia levels to increase in the Yamuna. 
  • This wastewater falls directly into the river, increasing the ammonia levels in the water.

Effects on Yamuna River

• Effects of pollution:
  • When the Yamuna River enters Delhi, it is already polluted, especially in the Wazirabad area. 
  • This pollution reduces the level of dissolved oxygen in the river water, posing a serious threat to aquatic life.
• Oxygen level:
  • Ammonia in Yamuna causes the oxygen level to drop to zero or very low, which prevents fish and other aquatic species from surviving, which is harmful to the ecosystem.