In Delhi, millions depend on a consistent and clean water supply. As the city continues to expand, the necessity for freshwater increases rapidly. So, where does this essential freshwater resource originate from?
Delhi gets water from three primary sources: the Upper Ganga Canal (26.5%), the Yamuna River, the Western Yamuna and Munak Canal, and the Bhakra Dam. These sources fulfil the ever-growing water requirements, ensuring adequate domestic, agricultural, and industrial supply.
Learning more about the sources of water used in Delhi helps us understand how this resource reaches millions of people. It’s time we got a detailed insight into how the Upper Ganga Canal, Yamuna River, and Bhakra Dam meet the city’s growing demand.
Primary Water Sources for Delhi’s Supply
1. Upper Ganga Canal System
The Upper Ganga Canal is an essential water supplier for Delhi. According to the Hindustan Times, it serves 26.5% of the city’s daily water requirements.
This canal is vital in the city’s water distribution framework. It makes it possible to deliver a consistent supply to the national capital. It plays an essential role in satisfying Delhi’s increasing water needs.
Source and Flow
Beginning at Haridwar in the Ganga River, the Upper Ganga Canal navigates through Uttar Pradesh before reaching Delhi.
When some sources dry up in hot months, the canal supplies substantial freshwater to Delhi.
Capacity and Distribution
The canal’s colossal capacity to transport water daily makes it essential for domestic use. Water from the Upper Ganga Canal meets almost a quarter of Delhi’s daily water requirements.
This steady supply ensures several families in Delhi obtain clear and sufficient water. Additionally, the canal’s reliability helps remove water shortages during peak demand periods.
Challenges and Management
Currently, problems such as sedimentation and pollution threaten the Upper Ganga Canal and affect the water being utilised, thereby hampering the flow.
These issues affect the quality of water provided to millions of residents in Delhi and also deplete the city’s few available water resources.
Previous cases of water pollution, more so during rainy seasons when water runoff enhances pollution levels, have sparked more concern regarding the viability of this valuable water source in the long run.
Delhi has employed the following strategy to address these challenges: forming the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).
Established on August 12, 2011, under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, the NMCG is an operational arm of the NGRBA.
This authority was established under the Environment Protection Act of 1986 to address pollution issues of the Ganga River. The NMCG’s jurisdiction is the Ganges Basin, including Delhi.
Its focus is to lessen the river’s pollution and improve its condition.
To this end, the mission enhances cross-sectoral collaboration for integrated planning and management to meet the minimum ecological flow for water quality.
By doing so, Delhi hopes to have checked the consequences of sedimentation and pollution, delivering clean waters to the city.
Treatment and Distribution to Delhi
Water from the upper Ganga canal is processed through several stages at distinct water treatment facilities and supplied afterwards.
This filtered water is designed for the southern, eastern, and northeastern parts of Delhi, where millions attain safe and clean water.
To ensure it is suitable for households, drinking water goes through filtering, sedimentation processes, and chemical additions.
2. Yamuna River, Western Yamuna Canal, and Munak Canal
Delhi’s water shortage is acute, and the Yamuna River, the Western Yamuna Canal (WYC), and the Munak Canal are crucial for providing people with water.
Integrating these waterways is beneficial not only for transportation needs within the capital but also for providing water necessary for agriculture and industries.
Historical Significance and Construction
The Western Yamuna Canal was constructed during British times mainly to channel the Yamuna River for agricultural irrigation. Over time, it has become part of Delhi’s drinking water supply system.
The Munak Canal, a further development of this system, was later built with concrete lining to reduce leakage through seepage.
Water Quality and Treatment
Because of pollution from industries and nearby agricultural activities in the Yamuna River, water sourced from the Western Yamuna Canal is highly polluted and requires further purification.
The Delhi Jal Board runs several treatment plants that treat the water to ensure it is safe for Delhi residents to drink.
Similarly, the Munak Canal, which receives water from the Yamuna River, also undergoes the same treatment plan to ensure safe drinking water.
Seasonal and Regional Water Dependence
The availability of water in the Yamuna River changes throughout the year. The water flow is exceptionally high during the monsoon period and low during the dry months.
The Western Yamuna Canal and the Munak Canal are important water supply sources to Delhi during dry periods, supplementing other water sources like the Upper Ganga Canal.
Efficient Water Transportation and Supply to Delhi
The Munak Canal, originating from Munak village in Haryana, branches out from the Western Yamuna Canal and carries water from the Yamuna River to Delhi.
Because of its concrete lining, it has fewer transmission losses and supplies gallons of water daily.
The Delhi Sub-branch of the canal, which ends at Haiderpur, is also very useful in ensuring adequate water distribution to different regions of the city.
3. Bhakra Storage and its Contribution to Delhi’s Water Supply
In Himachal Pradesh, the Bhakra Dam is vital for supplying water to India’s northern states, particularly Delhi. Here’s how the Bhakra storage system helps ensure Delhi’s water needs.
Origin and Significance of Bhakra Storage
One of the largest reservoirs in India is the Bhakra Dam, constructed on the Sutlej River.
The Ravi and Beas rivers supply the reservoirs with water that supports adequate water flow to places such as Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana.
With its substantial capacity to store 9.34 billion cubic metres of water, periods of high demand can fluctuate smoothly.
Link Canal to the Western Yamuna Canal (WYC)
An independent channel has been formed for transporting water from the Bhakra Canal to the Western Yamuna Canal.
The link among the various canal systems enables a seamless flow of water straight from the Bhakra reservoir to downstream areas like Haryana and Delhi.
Role of Haryana in Water Transmission to Delhi
After Bhakra water reaches Haryana, the state effectively transports it to Delhi.
In Haryana, water transportation includes passing through the Western Yamuna Canal and Munak Canal, through which the state assures a stable supply to meet Delhi’s water demands.
However, water sharing between the union territory of Delhi and the state of Haryana (Yes! Delhi is a union territory and not a state) has always been an issue.
Earlier, Haryana authorities supplied less than the required water to Delhi, causing dissatisfaction among Delhi residents.
Also, the local people aggravated pollution issues by throwing garbage into the canal water, so the water supply worsened.
One observed disruption occurred in 2016 when the locals attacked and destroyed some canals, demanding equal job opportunities.
Such cases show that there are still problems in the provision and distribution of water between the two regions.
Impact on Delhi’s Water Security
The Bhakra storage influences vital water security for Delhi through its links to the WYC and Munak Canal. The incorporation of this source into the supply system of Delhi has the following advantages:
Diversify the water resources in Delhi: By including Bhakra storage in its system, Delhi lowers its dependence on a single water source.
Reduces the vulnerability to seasonal fluctuations: By storing water in Bhakra reservoirs, seasonal changes are lessened, and a yearly water supply is assured.
Reduces disputes over water sharing: This resource mitigates friction and disputes by providing regular and shared water access to different regions.
Enhances resilience during droughts: During droughts, the water storage facility from Bhakra plays a crucial role in protecting Delhi against critical water shortages.
Supports long-term urban growth: As Delhi’s population expands and the need for water increases steadily, the addition of Bhakra storage guarantees a consistent water supply for urban and economic development.