HINDU COLLEGE

UNIVERSITY OF DELHI

AEC- EVS
A Project Report
ON
“Analysing Water Quality in Delhi’s Water Bodies”

Submitted by

Tisha (1003), Sakshi (783), Anushka Giri (1039) and Arya

Sahi(1070)

Submitted to
Dr. Asha
Department of Zoology
HINDU COLLEGE
Date: 16-11-2024
Analysing Water Quality in Delhi’s Water Bodies:
The Yamuna River, one of India's most significant rivers, flows through Delhi and is vital to the
city's ecosystem.The Yamuna flows for about 52 kilometres in Delhi, with approximately 22
kilometres of that flowing through urban Delhi. The Yamuna's path in Delhi is between the
Wazirabad Barrage and the Okhla Barrage .However, due to increased industrialization, urbanisation,
and waste discharge, the river faces significant pollution challenges. This study aims to assess water
quality by measuring critical parameters at various points along the Yamuna River in Delhi,
including Wazirabad and Okhla. Using on-site measurements and laboratory testing, our group
evaluated physical, chemical, and biological parameters to understand the pollution levels and their
impact on the environment and human health. Furthermore, we investigated the sources of pollution,
examined aquatic life, and suggested potential solutions to improve water quality.

City-wise Contribution of Pollution Load in Yamuna River (Source: CPCB, 2006)

Source:- https://www.researchgate.net/figure/City-wise-Contribution-of-Pollution-Load-in-Yamuna-
River-Source-CPCB-2006_fig1_292605813
Sample Collection:

Measuring Water Quality Parameters:

To assess the water quality, we conducted tests for Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical
Oxygen Demand (COD), and CO2 concentration, along with in-situ measurements of Total
Dissolved Solids (TDS), pH, and turbidity which we have performed on the location itself.

On-siteMeasurements: For preliminary testing at sampling sites, we used:

 TDS Meter to measure the total dissolved solids, which gives an idea of the concentration of
dissolved ions and solids in the water.
 Procedure:
1. Calibrate the TDS metre using a standard solution.
2. Immerse the probe into the water sample
3. Read the TDS value displayed on the metre in parts per million (ppm).

Parameter Wazirabad Okhla

TDS 254ppm 500-600ppm

 pH Meter to assess acidity or alkalinity, critical for maintaining aquatic health.

Procedure:
1. Calibrate the pH meter using standard pH buffers (usually pH 4, 7, and 10).
2. Submerge the pH electrode into the water sample.
3. Wait for the reading to stabilize and record the pH value.
 Parameter Wazirabad Okhla

pH 7.3-7.5 6.8-7.0

 Turbidity Meter to gauge water clarity and detect the presence of suspended solids.

Procedure:
1. Calibrate the turbidity meter with a standard solution (usually Formazin).
2. Place the water sample into a clean cuvette.
3. Insert the cuvette into the turbidity meter.
4. Record the turbidity value in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU).

Parameter Wazirabad Okhla

Turbidity 50–100 NTU 150–300 NTU

Laboratory Testing:
 BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand): BOD is an indicator of the organic pollution level in
water. A high BOD level indicates a large amount of organic material, which can lead to
decreased oxygen levels, endangering aquatic life. We measured BOD in the lab by
incubating water samples for five days at 20°C and then calculating the decrease in dissolved
oxygen levels

Procedure:
1. Fill a BOD bottle with the water sample.
2. Measure and record the initial dissolved oxygen (DO) using a DO meter.
3. Incubate the sample at 20°C for 5 days in a dark environment to prevent photosynthesis
4. After incubation, measure the final DO level.
5. Calculate BOD as: BOD = (Initial DO - Final DO) / Volume of water sample.

Parameter Wazirabad Okhla

BOD 9 mg/l 69mg/l

 COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand): COD measures the amount of oxygen required to
oxidise both organic and inorganic matter in water. We used potassium dichromate to oxidize
samples in the lab and calculated COD as an indicator of organic pollution levels.
Equipment Needed: Potassium dichromate, burette, COD digestion unit.

Procedure:
1. Add a known volume of water sample to a COD test vial.
2. Add potassium dichromate and sulfuric acid to the vial.
3. Digest the sample in a COD digestion unit at 150°C for 2 hours.
4. Cool the sample and titrate with a ferrous ammonium sulfate solution.
5. Calculate COD based on the titration data.

Parameter Wazirabad Okhla

COD 30-40 mg/l 50-60 mg/l

 CO2 Concentration: CO2 levels in water affect pH and oxygen availability. We used
titration methods to measure CO2 concentration in the lab.

The projected change in atmospheric CO2 concentrations and seawater pH assuming

anthropogenic emissions are maintained at current predictions. (IPCC, 1996).
Source:- https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-projected-change-in-atmospheric-CO2-
concentrations-and-seawater-pH-assuming_fig4_294685308
Procedure:
1. Collect a sample of the water in a clean flask.
2. Add a few drops of phenolphthalein indicator.
3. Titrate with a known concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) until the endpoint is reached.
4. Calculate CO2 concentration based on the volume of titrant used.

Parameter Wazirabad Okhla

CO2 concentration 10–30 mg/L 30–50 mg/L

Identifying Metal Ions and Chemical Contaminants:

This section focused on detecting harmful metal ions like lead and mercury, known for their toxic
effects on health and the environment. Since we were unable to conduct direct testing for metal ions,
we gathered secondary data from credible sources online, specifically analysing pollutants such as
lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. This data gave us insights into the presence of these harmful
metals in the Yamuna, which often result from industrial discharge and improper waste management.

Metals Wazirabad Okhla

Lead 0.01 0.20-0.25

Mercury Below detectable limit 0.20

Cadmium <0.005 0.10-0.15

Arsenic 0.005 0.01-0.02

Examining Aquatic Life and Microorganisms:

Observing the health and diversity of aquatic life can indicate water quality. High levels of pollution
typically reduce biodiversity, as many aquatic species cannot survive in heavily polluted
environments. In this part, we explored the abundance and health of fish, algae, and microorganisms
in samples from each location. Our findings suggest that areas with high pollution levels, like
downstream from Wazirabad, had significantly reduced biodiversity.

Comparative study of aquatic biodiversity between Wazirabad and okhla:-

Wazirabad shows relatively higher aquatic biodiversity compared to Okhla, as pollution levels
increase downstream in the Yamuna. By the time the river reaches Okhla, high pollution levels
severely degrade water quality, leading to a significant reduction in biodiversity.
Comparing Pollution Across Locations:
For a comparative analysis, we collected samples from various locations along the Yamuna River in
Delhi, including Wazirabad. By analysing the data from each location, we noticed varying pollution
levels, with downstream areas showing higher levels of contaminants and poorer water quality than
upstream locations. This analysis helped us understand how different locations within Delhi have
distinct pollution profiles.
Dataset on assessment of River Yamuna, Delhi, India using indexing approach
Source:- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352340918315233

Sources of Water Pollution:

To better understand the causes of pollution in the Yamuna River, we identified primary pollutant
sources:

 Industrial Waste: Factories often discharge untreated or partially treated wastewater directly
into the river, introducing toxic metals and chemicals.
 Sewage: Untreated sewage from urban areas contributes significantly to organic pollution,
increasing BOD and COD levels.
  Runoff: Surface runoff from streets, agricultural fields, and construction sites adds
sediments, pesticides, and other pollutants to the water.
Our analysis suggests that industrial waste and untreated sewage are the major contributors to the
Yamuna’s declining water quality and there are many other factors too responsible for water
pollution.

Impact on Health and Environment:

Water pollution poses severe risks to human health, water quality, and aquatic ecosystems. Pollutants
in the Yamuna have been linked to waterborne diseases in communities relying on this water source.
High levels of contaminants harm aquatic life, reduce biodiversity, and disrupt the ecosystem
balance. Exposure to heavy metals can lead to long-term health issues, such as developmental
problems, neurological disorders, and organ damage in humans.

8. Solutions to Improve Water Quality:

To address the issue of water pollution, our group suggests the following measures:

 Enhanced Wastewater Treatment: Encourage industries and municipalities to install

advanced wastewater treatment facilities before discharging water into the river.
  Public Awareness and Regulations: Educate the public on water conservation, proper waste
disposal, and reducing plastic use. Strengthen regulations on industrial discharges.
 Rainwater Harvesting and Sustainable Agriculture: Promote rainwater harvesting to
reduce reliance on river water. Encourage sustainable farming practices to reduce chemical
runoff.
 Regular Monitoring: Establish regular water quality monitoring to identify pollution sources
quickly and implement timely interventions.

Conclusion:
This study highlighted the critical water quality issues affecting the Yamuna River in Delhi,
specifically at points like Wazirabad and Okhla. Through extensive testing and analysis, we
observed high pollution levels, driven primarily by industrial waste, untreated sewage, and runoff.
This pollution endangers human health, reduces biodiversity, and disrupts aquatic ecosystems.
Addressing these issues requires collective action from governmental agencies, industries, and the
public. By implementing stringent regulations, improving waste management practices, and raising
awareness, there is hope for restoring the health of the Yamuna River for future generations.In
comparison, Wazirabad has relatively better water quality with lower pollution levels, resulting in
higher biodiversity, while Okhla faces severe pollution, with significantly higher levels of
contaminants such as BOD, COD, and heavy metals, leading to degraded water quality and reduced
aquatic life
REFERENCES:-
1. International energy agencyIEA(2021)
2. World energy outlook 2021
3. United Nations industrial developement organization (2020)
4. Food and agriculture Organization (FAO) (2020)
5. United Nations framework Convention on climate change.