'In parts of Delhi, groundwater unfit for human consumption'

In some areas of Delhi, groundwater was found "unfit" for human consumption, the Economic Survey Report of Delhi 2014-15 has said while raising "serious concern" over depleting groundwater level.
"The quality of underground water is deteriorating in several places. It has been found to be unfit for human consumption. The salinity of ground water is increasing in South-West and North-West Delhi. In some areas of Shahdara and Kanjhawala, nitrate content has been found to be more than 1000 mg/litre.
"Fluoride and chemical concentrations, more than prescribed limits, have also been found in ground water at various locations in Delhi," According to the Economic Survey Report of Delhi, 2014-15, tabled in the Assembly today.

To tackle these problems, the Central Ground Water Board has taken steps to regulate the number of tube-wells being commissioned in Delhi.
As on March 2014, Delhi Jal Board has 3,961 functional tube wells and 14 ranney wells.
The flood plains downstream of Wazirabad and the area adjacent to Najafgarh Lake are being explored for extraction of water on sustainable basis. Pre-feasibility studies for ground water recharge through the abandoned Bhatti Mines and Canal system in the North Western region of Delhi have also been taken.

Deepening of old lakes and other water bodies, preserving and developing the forest area in Delhi, construction of check dams at Asola Wild Life Sanctuary and plantation of trees, are some of the steps being taken to improve ground water resources by the department concerned.

Also, Delhi has a network of about 11,350 kilometres of water supply mains, of which, a significant portion is as old as 40 to 50 years and prone to higher leakage losses.
"Normally, water losses are calculated by water billed or consumed subtracted from the water produced. In the case of Delhi, water billed or consumed and leakage losses there from cannot be calculated exactly as a majority of houses do not have working metres," the report said.