Delhi Jal Board (DJB) Vice Chairman Raghav Chadha on Friday said that  certain parts of south, east and north east Delhi are facing shortage of water since Thursday due to an increase in the ammonia level which has resulted in shutting down of Sonia Vihar and Bhagirathi water treatment plants.

"The water that is released from Haryana into River Yamuna--the water which comes into Delhi--due to the discharge of that water from Haryana, the level of ammonia increased. This means the amount of pollutants increased, and went up to almost 3PPM (Parts Per Million)," he said.

As a result, the two significant water treatment plants at Sonia Vihar and Bhagirathi that treat the water that comes in from River Yamuna, had to be shut, he said. 

The Vice Chairman explained how the two water treatment plants have a collective capacity of 250 MGD and their shutting down would have had a likely impact on the supply of water in certain areas of Delhi, such as East Delhi, North East Delhi and South Delhi. 

"These are two big water treatment plants of Delhi Jal Board, and have a capacity of 110 MGD (Bhagirathi) and 140 MGD (Sonia Vihar), both of which had to be closed down. In addition, we are also discussing the issue with the Haryana government and we are collectively working to find an effective solution," he said. 

Chadha further said "I am pleased to inform you that both the affected water treatment plants have now begun working at 50 per cent capacity, the water production has resumed, and we have been successful in removing the pollutants."

He also said that the board has requested the government of Uttar Pradesh for their help. "The flow from the Upper Ganga Canal was stopped due to annual maintenance, which too impacts the supply of water to Delhi. So, we're in constant talks with the governments of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and are seeking their cooperation," he said.

"We need to understand that Delhi is a land-locked city. The water we get flows through other states as well. In such a case, if the level of ammonia increases, we will have to shut down our water treatment plants," he said.

Due to the shutting down of Sonia Vihar and Bhagirathi Water Treatment Plants, the affected areas in parts of South Delhi, East Delhi, North East Delhi and parts of NDMC included Gokulpuri, Sonia Vihar, Karawal Nagar, Babarpur, Tahirpur, Dilshad Garden, Nandnagari, Shahdara, Laxmi Nagar, Geeta Colony, Mayur Vihar, Kondli, Vivek Vihar, Seelampur, Shastripark, Bhrampuri, Gandhi Nagar, Sarai Kale Khan, Okhla, Badarpur, Sarita Vihar, Vasant Kunj, Mehrauli, Greater Kailash, South Extn, Lajpat Nagar, Lodhi Road, Kaka Nagar and adjoining areas.