The ground water of Najafgarh jheel, a natural water recharge body on Delhi- Gurgaon border, has high amount of nitrate, according to the recent findings of Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and hence residents who depend on groundwater for their drinking water needs be careful.
Officials at CGWB said the reason behind the contamination of ground water is the drainage linkage of Gurgaon with jheel. “The tributary turned drain has the capacity of 3,000-8,000 cusecs of drain water. Such an amount of drain water is majorly responsible for adding nitrate pollutant in ground water,” said Rajesh Chandra, hydro geologist who is leading the project of ground water contamination in Capital.
“Thirty-five Million Gallon per Day (MGD) ground water is supplied to people of Delhi. The impurities in ground water are negligible generally but it is matter of concern that natural aquifers are polluted due to drainage. It is crucial to save natural water recharge bodies,” said a hydro geologist.
Another CGWB official said ground water tab in Najafgarh area is high and ground water is used for drinking purpose, exposing the residents to ailment.
“We cannot neglect the fact that city is relying on ground water for drinking purpose. The ground water tab is very high and hence we need to give special significant water treatment to dissolve the amount of nitrate,” said the official while informing about the conservation of natural water recharge bodies in the Capital.
Najafgarh jheel, which is also known as Sahibi River, is a tributary of river Yamuna that once occupied more than 300 square kilometers of area. It has been turned into a drain now. While the jheel is on the verge of extinction, none of the State Governments (Delhi and Haryana) are taking initiative to save this natural recharge body.
The official also said Delhi and Haryana Govts should act together for the restoration of the jheel because its existence is pivotal for the revival of water tab in both States.