The rains in Delhi has increased the ammonia levels of the Yamuna, according to the testing of raw water drawn from the river at Wazirabad, reported Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on Sunday. DJB blamed Haryana for the spike citing a slush of industrial waste upstream from the neighbouring state.

The initial monsoon spells carry the industrial waste, which is accumulated in the drains of Haryana, said officials. The ammonia levels between 2 and 3 parts per million (ppm) were observed in the last three to four days, they added.

Ammonia levels in the water peaked at over 3ppm on Thursday after an increase in water flow, stated a senior DJB official. "Pollutants are getting diluted progressively, and the level is currently at around 1.3ppm," stated the official, reported HT.

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) can handle ammonia levels in raw water up to 0.9 ppm. However, higher concentrations require neutralising ammonia with chlorine gas, which often leads to the formation of toxic chloramine compounds.

According to DJB reports, on July 4, the utility supplied 938 MGD (million gallons a day) of water against a target of 1,000 MGD. This shortfall was due to high ammonia levels affecting production at both the Chandrawal and Wazirabad water treatment plants. The supply dropped further to 934 MGD on July 5 but recovered to 972 MGD on July 6. High ammonia levels typically indicate the presence of industrial waste and dyes in the raw water.

Officials pointed out that pollutants such as dyes, chlorides, and ammonia-based chemicals originate from the Panipat industrial dye drain, as reported by TimesNow.

In addition to Panipat, the DJB noted the mixing of industrial waste in Sonepat, where two canals-one carrying freshwater and the other industrial water-run parallel to each other, separated only by a thin sand wall.

Haryana officials, however, insist that there are no leaking pollution sources in their industrial areas.