COVID-19 and River Water Quality: Impact of Lockdown on Water

Quality of River Yamuna, India

Jakir Hussain and S. K. Gupta

Upper Yamuna River Board, DoWR, Ministry of Jal Shakti, New Delhi – 110066
Department of civil, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi ,

Abstract
The water quality of the Yamuna River was studied in order to determine the impact of lock-
down on the quality. During the lockdown, the pH of the river water ranged from 7.10 to 8.06,
and it was within permissible limits. After meeting Shadra Drain during the lockdown period,
dissolved oxygen was nil at Paltoon Pool, Kudesia Ghat, and D/s of Okhla Barrage. DO
levels at other locations ranged from 1.2 to 8.3 mg/L. The DO concentration ranged from 5.4
to 7.4 mg/L between U/S Vrindavan and Agra during the lockdown period. BOD
concentrations in the Delhi stretch varied from 2.8 to 57.0 mg/L prior to the closure, with a
high of 57 mg/L near the Nazimuddin bridge. The BOD in the Yamuna stretch ranged from
2.0 to 25.0 mg/L during the lockdown period. The BOD was 5.6 mg/l at Nizamuddin Bridge
in April 2020, compared to 57.0 mg/L during the pre-lockdown period (March 2020),
indicating a 33 % improvement. However, the water quality is still below the acceptable
norms (3 mg/L). The COD values decrease as well during the lockdown. As a result of the
abundant rainfall in and around Delhi, the river flow Increased. The removal of pollutants is
helped by increased river flow. During the lockdown, the water quality in the Yamuna River
improved. Dilution of river water due to the release of abundant fresh water from the
Wazirabad Barrage, which resulted in the washing out of bottom sediments and colloidal
pollutants; minimal discharge of industrial effluents (only about 35.9MLD); and comparable
higher penetration of solar radiation in the water body have all contributed to an overall
improvement in river Yamuna water quality. Human activities such as dumping religious gifts,
materials, and solid trash into the river, as well as swimming and washing clothes in the river,
have all been decreased.

Keywords : Yamuna river, COVID-19, Lockdown, pollution, DO, BOD, Coliform

Introduction
Due to disastrous impacts on health, economics and society, the river water pollution
problems are getting global consideration. Various anthropogenic activities such as rapid
industrialization and urbanization, are the major reasons of exploitation of huge amount
of natural water resources. Agricultural and other recreational activities are also water
demanding and directly or indirectly exploit the natural water resources. Natural
processes such as soil erosion, weathering processes, and precipitation, etc. also lead to
serious decline in the surface waters (rivers and natural streams) resulting impairing the
use of surface water for recreational, drinking, agricultural, as well as other purposes
(Carpenter et al. 1998). Compared to the natural disasters, anthropogenic activating have
major implications on the water resources and thus on the ecological system and human
health (Peterson et al. 1971). Various studies have demonstrated that, in past few
decades, the magnitude of impact of the anthropogenic activities on the natural water
resources have increase by many folds in the developing countries (Kannel et al., 2007).

The new corona virus (SARS-CoV2) has an unprecedented impact globally. As per the
report of WHO, (2020), this virus has affected more than 2.5 million people from almost
all the countries and have resulted more than 130,000 mortalities ((Manuel et al., 2020).
Due to this pandemic, most of the countries shutdown themselves and stopped all the
activities in the first quarter of 2020. In modern history, it was perhaps very first time that
almost all the public mobility, public transport as well as almost all the industries suddenly
halted. From decades, it has been established that anthropogenic activities are major
sources of all sort of environmental pollution and associated deleterious effects on
ecosystem and human health (Akimoto, 2003; Volkamer et al., 2006; Masood et al., 2016;
Schlacher et al., 2016). Therefore, it is expected that the lockdown of few weeks would
have healed the ecosystem as there were not anthropogenic activities during this period.
(Ali and Yasuaki, 2020).

Recently there have been a few media reports highlighting significant improvements in
river Ganga & Yamuna water quality. The entire issued was also reviewed by Hon'ble
Minister for Jal Shakti, Government of India, wherein it has been decided that river Ga nga
& Yamuna water quality may be continued to be monitored both manually & through Real-
Time Sensor station at designated monitoring station during this period so as to access
the impact of industries on pollution in rivers.

Under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the National Ganga River Basin Authority
(NGRBA) was formed on February 20 2009 as a coordinating body for cleaning of the
river Ganga and empowered for the monitoring of its quality, planning and financing the
cleanup activities. of . The conservation of the river Ganga and prevention of pollution by
various river basin management approaches are the major objective of
NGRBA(https://nmcg.nic.in.) So NMCG has provided the direction to the CPCB and State
pollution control Boards regarding the water quality study of river Ganga during Pre -
lockdown periods & Lockdown periods. In compliance with the order of NMCG & CPCB
Delhi, U.P. Pollution Control Board has carried out water quality monitoring of river Ganga
& Yamuna at identified locations through its concerned Regional Offices (Kanpur, Agra,
Mathura, Prayagraj & Varanasi) during Pre-lockdown & lockdown periods. The objective
of the study is to analyze the status of water pollution in river Yamuna and to evaluate the
effect of the lockdown on the water quality (DPCC, 2020; UPPCB, 2020 & CPCB, 2020).

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) conducted an inquiry to determine if the
lockout had a significant impact on Yamuna water quality. The pre-lockdown period was
assessed with monthly average samples collected between March and April 2018 and
March and April 2019 and March 2020, while the lockdown period was assessed with a
single-day sample collected on April 6, 2020, from three locations (Palla, Nizamuddin,
and Okhla), as well as the Najafgarh and Shahdara drains that carry wastewater into the
river (Singhal, and Matto 2020). Delhi Pollution Control Committee has monitored the
water quality of River Yamuna on 06.04.2020 at 9 locations and drains at 20 locations
during lockdown period. The data obtained were compared with previous year data in
April 2019 and April 2020 (CPCB, 2020; DPCC, 2020).
Yamuna River

One of India's most sacred rivers, known as the Yamuna River, the Yamuna is a significant
tributary of the Ganges River. Banderpoonch peaks (30059' N and 78027' E in the Mussourie
range) are located at an elevation of 6,387 m above mean sea level in the lower Himalayas,
where the Yamunotri Glacier is located (Uttarkashi district,Uttarakhand). All of the sampling
locations along the Yamuna and its tributaries are depicted in Fig. 1. The Yamuna joins the
Ganga at Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh) after a 1376-kilometer journey that began in Uttrakhand
and included stops in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi. The Yamuna's major tributaries,
the Chambal, Betwa, Sind, Ken, and Mandakini, join on the right bank, while Tons and Giri
are located in the Himalayas. The total stretch of about 48 Km of the river Yamuna passes
through the national capital region of Delhi, of which 26 Km from Palla to Wazirabad barrage
and rest 22 Km lies in principal capital. The total catchment of the Yamuna River is 366,223
km2 including 20,375 km2 water spread area. The catchment basin area in all the seven states
equals 345,848 km2.The total catchment basin area of river Yamuna is about 42.5% of the
total Ganga basin area. From geographical landmass basis it is about 10.7% of the
country(http://uyrb.gov.in/).
The Yamuna River system's catchment includes Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal
Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi. The Yamuna flood plains receive
between 400 and 1500 mm of rain annually from June through September. According to the
CPCB (2006) data, the mean maximum and minimum temperatures are 24 - 42.5°C and 1.0
- 11.0°C, respectively. This river basin has mountainous foothills and plateaus, plains, and
valleys. The soil type of this river basin varies by area. This basin has around eight different
soil types. In which around 42% is alluvial (42 percent ) 25.5 % medium black, 24.6 % non-
arable land The rest are a mix of red and black in the drainage area (CPCB 2006). In the flood
plains, 60% of the land is used for agricultural and 12.5% for forest. Only 2.9 percent of the
basin is urbanised. RAI et al. (2012); Sharma et al.
Sources of Pollution
In the past few decades, urban and industrial settlements have rapidly increased all over the
stretch of River Yamuna from origin to the confluence with River Ganga. Exponential growth
of industrialization and urbanization has resulted varied sorts of degradation of the complete
Yamuna basin. Which has directly and indirectly deteriorated water quality of Yamuna
River.Therefore, during lean seasons, some of the stretches, become unfit for human
consumption, agricultural activities and even for the any sort of recreational activating (CPCB,
1978; 1981; 1982–1983; 1984–2008; 1986; 1994; 2006; 2009).
Four problem areas are affecting the water quality of river Yamuna:
• Inadequate flow of water in the river needed to maintain ecological flow, dilute and
assimilate waste, particularly during the lean season
• Growing quantum of untreated sewage discharged from cities along the river
• Point-source pollution from industries discharging waste into the river.

Water Quality Standards

 The physico-chemical and microbiological quality of the surface water determines its uses as
different type of uses has different water quality need. In India the river water is one of the
most important source for drinking water and agriculture. Therefore, monitoring of the water
quality is theone of the most vital aspect of the management of all the natural water resources
and restoring its water quality. The suitability and application of river water for all purposes,
like drinking, irrigation,, and the fisheries, etc. can only be determined by rigorous water quality
monitoring programs. In India, there are a few regulatory authorities such as Bureau of Indian
Standards, Minitry of Envronment and Forest, and CPC, etc. provide regulatory guidelines for
the water quality for the management of water resources. Therefore, it is of utmost essintial to
line the quality of a water body, and it is also important to identify the uses of water therein
water body (CPCB, 2008).
The Indian government's Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has developed guidelines
for the designated best use of water resources (Table 1). These criteria are based on the idea
that the specified optimal use of water in a given body is the one that requires the highest
quality. Accordingly, five different designated best uses have been acknowledged. This
designated classification is a working guideline for the planning and managing the water
quality targets and developing an appropriate restoration programs for different type of water
bodies and water resources. For designated best uses, the CPCB has recommended the quality
standards, which is being used for finding out the suitability of river water. According to CPCB
guidelines, river water quality in India is classified as Class – A: Drinking water Source without
conventional treatment but after disinfection; Class – B: Outdoor bathing (Organised); Class
– C: Drinking water source after conventional treatment and disinfection; Class – D:
Propagation of wildlife and fisheries; Class – E: Irrigation, industrial cooling, controlled waste
disposal (CPCB, 2008).
Table 1: Designated Best Uses of Water (CPCB, 2008)
Designated Best Use Class Criteria

Drinking-Water Source without A 1.Total Coliforms Organism MPN/100ml shall be 50 or less

conventional treatment but 2. pH between 6.5 and 8.5
after disinfection 3. Dissolved Oxygen 6mg/l or more
4. Biochemical Oxygen Demand 5 days 20°C, 2mg/l or less
Outdoor bathing (Organised) B 1.Total Coliforms Organism MPN/100ml shall be 500 or less
2. pH between 6.5 and 8.5
3. Dissolved Oxygen 5mg/l or more
4. Biochemical Oxygen Demand 5 days 20°C, 3mg/l or less
Drinking water source after C 1. Total Coliforms Organism MPN/100ml shall be 5000 or less
conventional treatment and 2. pH between 6 and 9
disinfection 3. Dissolved Oxygen 4mg/l or more
4. Biochemical Oxygen Demand 5 days 20°C, 3mg/l or less
Propagation of Wildlife and D 1. pH between 6.5 and 8.5
Fisheries 2. Dissolved Oxygen 4mg/l or more
3. Free Ammonia (as N)
4. Biochemical Oxygen Demand 5 days 20 °C, 2mg/l or less
Irrigation, Industrial Cooling, E 1. pH between 6.0 and 8.5
Controlled Waste disposal 2. Electrical Conductivity at 25°C micromhos/cm, maximum 2250
3. Sodium absorption Ratio Max. 26
4. Boron Max. 2mg/l
Below-E Not meeting any of the A, B, C, D & E criteria
Material and Methods
Sampling sites, collection and analysis

Palla, Surghat, Palton Pool, Kudesia Ghat, ITO Bridge, Nizamuddin Bridge, Agra Canal
(Jaitpur), Okhla upstream, D/S/ Okhla Barrage after meeting Shardra Drain, U/S Vrindavan,
D/S Vrindavan, U/S Kailash ghat Agra, and D/S Tajmahal, Agra were the monitoring stations
used to cover the Yamuna stretch (Palla - Agra) . The Delhi Pollution Control Board analysed
20 wastewater samples collected from drains on April 15, 2020. The drain quality of the
Najafgarh Drain, ISBT Drain, Civil Mill Drain, Barapulla Drain, and Shahdara Drain was
compared to the results of the 2019 analysis. A portable water analysis kit was used to
determine the pH and DO parameters in situ. The samples were kept in sampling kits, kept at
4°C, and brought to the lab for analysis within 2 hours. The American Public Health
Association's (APHA 2017) standard methodologies and the CPCB's "Guide Manual: Water
and Wastewater Analysis, 2011" were used to analyse the water quality parameters.

Result and Discussion pH

pH: Water Quality Sites
March, 2019
pH, which determines the degree of acidic or April, 2020
& 2020
basic character at a certain temperature, is Palla 8.70 7.80
one of the most essential parameters for
Surghat 7.40 8.06
water quality.The solubility, bioavailability,
transformation and translocation of several Palton Pool 7.24 7.50
toxic and non-toxic chemicals in the water Kudesia Ghat 7.20 7.37
bodies depends on the pH of water. The
ITO Bridge 7.00 7.63
solubility and toxicity of most of the metals
increases at lower pH, i.e. in an acidic Nizamuddin Bridge 7.30 7.20
medium. Whereas, the toxicity of cyanides Agra Canal (Okhla Barrage) 7.30 7.46
and sulfides increases in the a basic medium
Agra Canal (Jaitpur) 7.40 7.45
i.e. at higher pH. The maximum tolerance
limits of pH for designated best use (CPCB)) Okhla upstream 7.20 7.10
are 6.5 -8.5 for Class B (Outdoor bathing) D/S/ Okhla Barrage after
water. meeting Shardra Drain 7.40 7.63
Figure 1: Water Quality of River Yamuna concerning pH (during Pre-Lockdown and Lockdown)

The pH values of the Yamuna river very from 7.00 to 8.70 during the pre - lockdown period
(March 2019 & 2020). Only one water quality station at Palla exceeded the class B - Outdoor
bathing criteria (6.5-8.5). During the lockdown period, the pH of the study area ranges from
7.10 to 8.06. The maximum pH (8.06) was recorded from the Surghat water quality station,
whereas minimum (7.10) was recorded from Okhla upstream WQ station. Data reveals that
all the water quality stations along the Yamuna river are within the class B - Outdoor bathing
(6.5-8.5). River water in unpolluted rivers generally has pH 6.5-8.5. The water having a pH
value of more than 8.5 cause scaling while below 6.5 causes corrosion of iron pipelines or
domestic iron ware.
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
The health of flora and fauna in the water bodies depends on the dissolved oxygen which is
very important to maintain the aquatic ecosystems. The dissolved oxygen (DO) is one of the
main parameters to study the quality of water (Ganapati, 1962; Wong et al., 1979; Mittal and
Sengar 1991) and plays a crucial role in supporting aquatic life in running waters.

In the aquatic ecosystem, the oxygen is mainly produced by photosynthesis of the

phytoplankton and partially due to aeration. An small fraction of oxygen also get diffused from
the atmosphere through wind-mixing and gets dissolved in surface waters. This dissolved
oxygen is vital for the survival of aquatic life and used by all the flora and fauna including
microorganisms of water bodies. When oxygen depleting substances such as organic matter
in introduced in the water bodies, it results depletion of DO due to oxidation and produces
objectionable tastes and odors. The dead and decaying organic matter including plants is
provide energy to the microbes, however, this process also consume dissolved oxygen.
Though, the net change in DO without anthropogenic intrusion is comparably very less during
the life cycle of aquatic plants (Weiner 2008)..
DO is required to maintain aerobic conditions in surface waters and is the main indicator that
determines the suitability of river water for the existence of aquatic life. It reflects the physical
and biological processes persisting in the river (Baliarsingh et al., 2010). As the equilibrium
concentration of DO in an aquatic system is also get influenced by the density of the aquatic
vegetation and the plankton population.Along with, several other geo-environmental factors
such as temperature, pressure, and the concentration of other Figure

Figure 2 : Water Quality of River Yamuna concerning DO (during Pre-Lockdown and Lockdown)

organic and inorganic solutes regulates the DO equilibrium. Majorily, low dissolved oxygen
in water is typically related to anthropogenic activities i.e. organic pollution.

The health of the whole aquatic ecosystem directly depends on the level of the dissolved
oxygen (DO).An appropriate level of DO is very important to balance of population of various
life forms of the water bodies, thus making the water bodies healthy (Rai et al., 2012). CPCB
has set the limit of dissolved oxygen for Class B – outdoor bathing as 5 mg/L for Class C
and Class D - Drinking water source without conventional treatment. Still, after disinfection
and Propagation of wildlife and fisheries, the limit is are 4 mg/L as per designated best uses
(CPCB, 2008).

Dissolved oxygen is the amount of dissolved oxygen required for aquatic life to survive. As
the DO level rises, the water quality improves. According to water quality statistics, four of
the nine locations have no dissolved oxygen in 2019. Only two locations (Palla and Surghat),
both near or upstream of the Yamuna, had DO levels more than 5 mg/l.

Palla is a water quality monitoring station located upstream. DO concentrations are high
during pre-lockdown and lockdown due to photosynthetic activity. The COVID-19 pandemic
lockdown resulted in a 51.46 percent increase in DO concentration during the pre-lockdown
and lockdown periods, which might be attributed to freshwater flow upstream of the Yamuna
and the absence of human activity or industrial effluent discharge.

DO levels begin to drop dramatically after Wazirabad. In most cases, Delhi water quality
station has identified no DO. All water quality stations from Palton Pool to D/S Okhla Barrage
after meeting Shardra Drain had DO concentrations of zero during the pre-lockdown period.
In the river Yamuna, about 22 drains confluence downstream of Wazirabad,at Delhi. This
results addition of a considerable amount of various typeso f organic waste into the river
which drastically increases the microbial activity resulting in the depletion of DO.
Nizamuddin; which is the downstream of Yamuna at Delhi, the river also receives another
major load of organic wastes in the form of sewage and wastewater from Hindon river cut.
The Hindon river is carrying various types of wastewater as well as domestic sewage from
U.P. Therefore, the main the deteriorated river water quality of Yamuna at Delhi is due to the
addition of a huge quantity of domestic sweater and wastewater Delhi itself as well as a huge
proportion of the same from Uttar Pradesh. During the summer seasons, there are no
freshwater flow in the river.

During the lockdown period, data reveals that the DO concentration is observed nil at Palton
Pool, Kudesia Ghat, and D/S Okhla Barrage after meeting Shardra Drain. At remaining
stations, DO varies from 1.2-8.3 mg/L. U/S Vrindavan to Agra, the DO Concentration ranges
from 5.4 – 7.4 mg/L during the lockdown period. Data show the improvement in the water
quality in respect of DO concentration in the Yamuna river.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
The BOD is generally described as the amount of oxygen required by aerobic bacteria
Bio chemical Oxygen
to stabilise decomposable organic matter in aerobic Demand
Water Quality Sites
conditions. The BOD is an important parameter for March BOD April BOD
monitoring and restoring the environmental quality of water
Palla 7.9 2
bodies. This test is used to quantify oxidation rates and Surghat
2.8 3.8
determine the amount of physiologically oxidizable organic Palton Pool 33 19
matter present.The BOD is, therefore,one of the major Kudesia Ghat 24 25
criterion used as a pollution indicator for assessment of ITO Bridge 28 22
organic load in the rivers and streams. For the Nizamuddin Bridge 57 5.6

management and restoration points of views, the BOD data Agra Canal (Okhla Barrage) 24 16
Agra Canal (Jaitpur)
is used to control various sources contributing organic load 23 17
Okhla upstream 27 6.1
to the river. However, there are several other physico- D/S/ Okhla Barrage after
chemical parameters such as pH, temperature, presence meeting Shardra Drain 28 23

as well as presence of heavy and toxic substances directly U/S Vrindavan 9 7

D/S Vrindavan 10.4 8
influence the BOD of the water. Similarly some of the
U/S Mathura 11 9
biological parameters such as load and type of D/S Mathura
12 10
microorganisms present,nitrification process and the load U/S Kaliash ghat Agra
11.8 9.6
of reduced mineral matters, ,etc. also directly or indirectly D/S Tajmahal, Agra 13.6 11.2
affect the BOD.
The BOD limit for Class B – outdoor bathing and Class C – drinking water source after
conventional treatment and disinfection has been set at 3 mg/L by the CPCB, and 2 mg/L for
wildlife and fisheries propagation.

Figure 3: Water Quality of River Yamuna with respect to BOD (during Pre-Lockdown and
Lockdown)

Pre lockdown Period

During the pre-lockdown period, the BOD concentration varies from 2.8 – 57 mg/L in Delhi
stretch. The lowest concentration was observed at Sughat. High BOD concentration is
observed at the Nazimuddin bridge (57 mg/L). Higher concentration in Delhi stretch shows
major mixing of sewage and allied activities such as open defecation, cattle wallowing,
disposal of animal carcass, and unburnt bodies, in the intervening stretch. Our studies show
that the Najafgarh drain is a major source of organic pollution in the river in this stretch.
Further, due to low velocities, the diffusion of atmospheric oxygen also slows down, resulting
in a deeper drag on the dissolved oxygen. The drain that joins the Yamuna carries the
wastewater from Delhi and Noida is highly polluted and very rich in organic load and coliform
population. The river here also shows strong eutrophic conditions, but there are not many fish
present in the reach due to the high pollution load that generally decreases the dissolved
oxygen levels enabling only harder fish to survive in such an environment. So during the pre-
lockdown period, the BOD concentration was observed high.
The BOD Concentration from U/S of Vrindavan to Agra varies from 9.0 – 13.6 mg/L during the
Pre-lockdown period. An increasing trend is observed due to the domestic waste of Vrindavan,
Mathura, and Agra city. A central Water Commission 2017 study shows that the BOD levels
drop significantly at the locations downstream Etawh due to dilution from River Chambal. The
river is monitored for DO-BOD levels at Auraiya, Hamirpur, and Pratappur. It is only after
receiving the water from Chambal that the Yamuna gets a respite by reducing BOD levels due
to dilution. There is not much industrial activity in the catchment between Etawah and
Pratappur. River Yamuna also receives Chambal, Sind, Betwa, Rind, and Ken, which
generally have flows with comparatively low values of BOD and high DO.
Lockdown Period:

During the lockdown, the BOD concentration in the Yamuna stretch varies from 2 to 25 mg/L.
The Yamuna River's water quality improved as a result of the lockout. There was a 33%
decrease in the Bio-chemical oxygen demand (BOD) value at Nizamuddin Bridge in April
2020, compared to 57 mg/l in March 2020. The water quality, on the other hand, continues to
fall short of the authorised 3 mg/L threshold. Only Surghat (3.8 mg/l in April 2020 compared
to 2.8 mg/l in 2019) and Kudesia ghat (25 mg/l in April 2020 compared to 24 mg/l in 2019) met
the prescribed water quality requirements (suitable for bathing). In spite of the fact that BOD
levels are dropping, river water is still unsuitable for outdoor bathing (Class-B).

Nizamuddin, Okhla barrage (Agra canal), ITO Bridge, Agra Canal (Jaitpur), and Okhla barrage
(after meeting Shahdara drain) ITO Bridge all saw considerable reductions in pollution. This
year's BOD levels were 22mg/l, down from 28mg/l the year before. This year, BOD levels in
the Agra Canal (Jaitpur) decreased by 26%, while the quality at Okhla barrage (after meeting
Shahdara drain) improved by 18%, with BOD values of 23 mg/l compared to 28 mg/l in 2019.
(DPCC, 2020; UPPCB, 2020; and CPCB, 2020.).

Due to heavy rain in and around Delhi, the concentration of BOD was significantly reduced
during the lockdown. The river's freshwater flow was increased as a result, which helped wash
pollutants away and improve water quality. In April 2020, the average river flow was 3,900
cusecs, up from 1,000 cusecs in April 2019. The increased flow has aided in the dilution of
toxins, which has results in improved water quality (DPCC, 2020; UPPCB, 2020 & CPCB,
2020).

Chemical Oxygen Demand

COD is a key indicator of water body health and is used to assess surface water quality.The
chemical oxygen demand is a unit of oxygen equal to the amount of oxygen necessary for a
potent chemical agent to oxidise organic molecules (Parashar et al., 2008).
In other words, it measures the chemically oxidizable carbonaceous part of the organic matter.
It is indicative of total oxygen required for the degradation of the organic matter, whether
biodegradable or non-biodegradable. COD is a rapid and effective test when BOD cannot be
calculated correctly due to the presence of toxins or other unfavourable conditions for microbe
growth.COD values are always higher than BOD and are influenced by the factors which
influence the BOD, but both these parameters do not have any definite correlation between
them. An erroneously high COD is occasionally obtained due to the presence of certain
reduced inorganic ions that are oxidised during the COD test. High to very high concentration
of chloride causes problems in the COD measurements. Nitrogen compounds also contribute

to COD values.
Figure 4: Water Quality of River Yamuna with respect to COD (during Pre-Lockdown and
Lockdown)

Chemical Oxygen Demand indicates the presence of industrial effluents in a water body.
During March 2019, the COD levels at Palla & Surghat found to be below 30 mg/l and above
50 mg/L at remaining sampling locations. Pantoon Pool shows the highest COD level reaching
116 mg/l. During the lockdown period, COD concentration has varied from 2 to 76 mg/L. The
highest concentration was observed 76 mg/L at D/S Okhla Barrage after meeting Shardra
Drain. For a water body, highCOD values indicates the load of organic contents received from
industrial effluents. During the lockdown period, most of the monitoring sites, comparably
lower COD values obtained which signifies that comparably low or nilindustrial discharge due
to shutdown of the industries .

During the lockdown period, the COD concentration varies from 8-900 mg/L. The maximum
COD (900 mg/L) was recorded at Magazine Road Drain, whereas minimum (8.0 mg/L) was
recorded at Sarita Vihar Drain. During the lockdown period, COD concentration varies from 2-
76 mg/L.Abundant rainfall in and around Delhi, was another important reasons for the low
COD in river Yamuna at Delhi during the lockdown period. The addition of rain water in the
river increased considerably during the lockdown, which helped in washing away pollutants.

Drain Water Quality

The level of BOD and dissolved oxygen of 20 drains in Delhi indicates that the water quality
of none of the drains are as per the criteria of CPCB. The Najafgarh drain, which falls into the
Yamuna before Nizamuddin stretches, contributes significantly to the river's contamination.
The CPCB gathered data from two major drains, Najafgarh and Shahdara, which account for
at least two-thirds of the hydraulic (sand, silt, and gravel) load in the Yamuna. In addition, the
wastewater quality in the two drains (Najafgarh and Shahdara) has improved by roughly 30-
45 percent in terms of BOD levels. Despite this improvement, the drains had BOD levels of 56
mg/l and 89 mg/l, respectively. The BOD values at the Najafgarh and Shahdara drains were
both high, at 55 mg/l and 89 mg/l, respectively. These findings clearly indicated that the
discharge of partially treated and untreated domestic wastewater remained consistent during
the lockdown.
Water Quality of Drains
Najafgarh Drain:
2018 2019 2020 Comparison between
WQ
S.No. Drain Unit Pre lockdown Post lockdown Pre-lockdown & %
Parameter March April March April
(04.03.2020) (06.04.2020) Lockdown Period)

Najafgarh Drain pH 7.3 7.2 7.4 7.3 7.30 7.30 0.00%

1
Shahdara Drain pH 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.1 7.10 7.20 Increase -1.41%
Najafgarh Drain SS 282 264 201 200 152 106 Decrease 30.26%
2 mg/L
Shahdara Drain SS 276 260 481 380 464 305 Decrease 34.27%
Najafgarh Drain BOD 50 62 128 90 78 55 Decrease 29.49%
3 mg/L
Shahdara Drain BOD 46 56 114 128 163 89 Decrease 45.40%
Najafgarh Drain COD 319 258 314 316 271 150 Decrease 44.65%
4 mg/L
Shahdara Drain COD 296 311 551 412 574 383 Decrease 33.28%
Najafgarh Drain Conductivity 1501
5
Shahdara Drain Conductivity 1657

In the National Capital Teritary (NCT) Delhi, among all the drains confluencing the river
Yamun, the Najafgarh Drain (NjD) is the largest. The sewered catchment area is around 374
sq.km of NjD. The NjD carries a substantial quantity of wastewater and raw sewage due to
various constraints in the management of the sewerage systems in Delhi (Nema and Agrawal,
2003). During the pre-lockdown phase in March 2020, the analysis results at Najafgarh Drain
(which discharges 1938 MLD of wastewater into the Yamuna) revealed pH (7.3), SS (152
mg/L), BOD (78 mg/L), and COD (271 mg/L). During the lockdown period (on 06.04.2020),
the analysis results revealed pH (7.3), SS (106 mg/L), EC (1501 s/cm), BOD (55 mg/L), and
COD (150 mg/L). Furthermore, comparative study results (pre-lockdown and lockdown
periods) show a decrease in the concentration of measured parameters, such as SS (30.26
percent), BOD (29.49 percent), and COD (44.65 percent), which can be attributed to the
transport of untreated and treated sewage.

Shahdara Drain:

During the pre-lockdown period in March 2020, pH (7.1), SS (464 mg/L), BOD (163 mg/L),
and COD (574 mg/L) were measured at Shahdara Drain, however during the lockdown period,
pH (7.2), SS (305 mg/L), EC (1657 s/cm), BOD (89 mg/L), and COD (303 mg/L) were
measured (on 06.04.2020). Furthermore, the results of the comparison research (pre-
lockdown and lockdown periods) reveal a decrease in the concentration of analyzed
parameters, i.e., a slight increase in alkalinity, SS (34.27%), BOD (45.4%), and COD (45.4%).
(33.28 percent).
 S.No. Location BOD (mg/L) % Reduction % Increase
April, 2019 April, 2020 (April 2020) (April 2020)
1 Najafgarh 45 35 22 -
2 ISBT Drain 28 9 68 -
3 Civil Mill 135 27 80 -
4 Sen Nursing Home 145 89 39 -
5 Barapulla 94 124 - 32
6 Shahdara 125 84 33 -

Delhi pollution Control Board has analyzed 20 drains wastewater samples collected on
15.4.2020. The drain quality has been compared with the analyzed results of 2019. The
following observation occurs –
1. Najafgarh Drain: 22% reduction in the pollution level of drain wastewater quality was
observed in April 2020 as compared to April 2019.
2. ISBT Drain: 68% reduction in the pollution level of drain wastewater quality was observed.
3. Civil Mill Drain: 80% reduction in the pollution level of drain wastewater quality was
observed.
4. Barapulla Drain: 32% increase in the pollution level of drain wastewater quality was
observed.
5. Shahdara Drain: There was a 33% drop in the contamination level of drain effluent
quality. The average flow in April 2019 was 1,000 cusecs, whereas the average flow
in April 2020 was 3,900 cusecs. As a result, dilution contributes to the improvement
of water quality.

Conclusion
1. The pH is one of the most critical parameters in determining the river water quality. Under
natural conditions, the pH value in the surface water usually ranges from 5.0 to 8.6. The
pH of all water quality stations along the Yamuna River is within the class B - outdoor
bathing – range(6.5-8.5)during the lockdown Before and after lockdown, there is no
significant change in pH, which makes the water unfit for various uses.
2. The biggest cause of pollution in the Yamuna River is domestic pollution. Domestic trash
released into the river, whether treated or not, accounts for a significant amount of the
river's total pollution. Panipat, Sonepat, Delhi, Ghaziabad, Mathura-Vrindavan, and Agra
 are the major cities that dump residential waste into the Yamuna River. The river Yamuna
receives a significant amount of organic materials from the garbage of these cities. The
presence of oxygen is required for the biodegradation of this organic waste, resulting in a
large decline in dissolved oxygen in river water. DO becomes an useful tool for quickly
determining the level of pollution in a body of water.At 22-kilometer stretch of Delhi, the
DO has been observed to be zero most of the time. Oxygen depletion has an impact on
the river's biotic life as well as its ability to purify itself. The most of water quality monitoring
stations from Palton Pool to D/S Okhla Barrage had no DO content after meeting Shardra
Drain during the pre-lock down period. According to statistics, the DO level fluctuates
between 1.2 and 8.3 mg/L during the lockdown period.DO composition varies between 5.4
and 7.4 mg/L from U/S of Vrindavan to Agra station during the lockdown period. The data
demonstrate that the water quality in the Yamuna river has improved in terms of DO
concentration. It is obvious that the biodegradable organic load of pollutants decreases
dramatically, as evidenced by BOD, another key parameter for determining the quantity of
biochemically decomposable pollutants.
3. BOD levels, which indicate how much oxygen the river needs to stay pure. Lower the BOD,
lower will be the pollution, and better will be the water quality. BOD value in pre and post
lockdown period remains above the prescribed standard of 3 mg/L. But on comparing BOD
value to pre lockdown period and last year results it found far better with a considerable
decrease.Lockdown has resulted in a dramatic improvement in water quality.
4. The Yamuna River basin has undergone tremendous development and urbanisation in
recent decades. Yamuna Nagar, Panipat, Sonepat, Delhi, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam
Budha Nagar, Faridabad, Mathura, and other places along the Yamuna River have large
clusters of industries. The Yamuna River receives wastewater from pulp and paper, sugar,
distilleries, textiles, leather, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, oil refineries, thermal power
plants, food, and other industries.During March 2019, the COD levels at Palla & Surghat
was found to be below 30 mg/l and above 50 mg/L at remaining sampling locations.
Pantoon Pool shows the highest COD level reaching 116 mg/l.COD concentrations ranged
from 2-76 mg/L during the lockdown. In all of the monitored stations and drains, COD, the
measurement that shows the presence of industrial effluents in a water body, has
decreased significantly. During the lockdown, the water quality of the Yamuna river
improved due to the closure of industrial operations in the Delhi – NCR region. Because
many industries and offices are shuttered owing to the lockdown, the Yamuna appears
cleaner during these days. The elimination of industrial pollutants and trash has had a
significant positive impact on water quality.
5. All monitor stations and drains showed a considerable reduction in COD levels. Due to the
shutdown of industrial plants in the Delhi-NCR region during the lockdown, the water
quality of the Yamuna river has improved because toxic wastes and effluents are no longer
released into it. As a result of the recent lockdown, many factories and offices are closed,
and the Yamuna is looking cleaner. The elimination of commercial pollutants and industrial
waste has had a significant impact on water quality.
6. According to the findings of the research, the BOD at Palla was 2mg/l after the shutdown,
down from 7.9mg/l before the lockdown (pre-lockdown). The DO was 8.3 mg/l, down from
17.1 mg/l before the lockdown, while the COD was 6 mg/l, down from 28 mg/l (pre-
lockdown). The pH was 7.2 at Nizamuddin Bridge, compared to 7.3 in March, BOD levels
were 5.6 mg/l, down from 57 mg/l, and COD was 16 mg/l, down from 90 mg/l previously.
There were no detectable quantities of DO. pH was 7.1 at the Okhla barrage (upstream)
as opposed to 7.2, BOD was 6.1 mg/l as opposed to 27 mg/l, and COD was 18 mg/l as
 opposed to 95 mg/l. The findings do not meet the required bathing criteria. The results do
not meet the first criterion of bathing fitness, as measured by DO and BOD.
7. Before reaching a conclusion, there is one most important parameter should also be
discussed that is the discharge of the river. On viewing the discharge data of Wazirabad,
it found a huge increase in the discharge of freshwater into a river that diluted the
pollutants.According to information received by the Delhi Jal Board, the amount of water
discharged into the river from Wazirabad during the lockdown was five times larger than
before the lockdown, when it was less than 1000 cusecs (DJB). Because of decreased
pollution and the closure of industries, the river's health has improved.
8. The investigation showed a considerable improvement in water quality in terms of DO
(dissolved oxygen), BOD (biochemical oxygen demand), and COD (chemical oxygen
demand) at all measured locations when compared to the pre-lockdown period. The water
quality of the river Yamuna, on the other hand, did not meet the primary water quality
criterion for bathing in terms of DO and BOD concentration in most places. Home sewage
would have increased due to the increased requirement for water to maintain hand-
washing hygiene during the lockdown. Despite the lockout, due to the unique coronavirus
disease, water quality at broad places along the Yamuna river does not meet the first water
quality requirement (COVID-19).
9. Because of the foul odour released into the surrounding environment by anaerobic
activities occurring within the river strata, as well as the unsightly surface appearance
caused by blackish water, floating garbage, plastic bags, and animal carcasses, the
Yamuna River has lost its aesthetic value and glory (Rai, 2012). Religious activities and
tourism are severely harmed as a result of the deterioration of river water qualities. The
public movement was not allowed during the lockdown period has also resulted in reduced
organic load, which increases the BOD concentration in the river is stopped. The reduction
in human activity such as tossing 'pooja' materials, solid waste disposal, bathing, and
clothing washing as a result of the prolonged lockdown had a good overall impact.
10. The Yamuna River in Mathura is revered for its sacred character. Devotees immerse
polybags containing a variety of religious things in the river, increasing the
floatingsuspended components (inorganic,organic, and poisonous) and thus adding to the
ugliness (Bhargava, 2006). During the lockdown period, these activities are stopped, so
the lockdown period played a significant role in the improvement of the water quality of the
river Yamuna.
11. According to the CPCB and DPCB reports, the post-lockdown overall improvement in
water quality was due to a number of factors, including the release of abundant freshwater
from the Wazirabad Barrage and the availability of dilution in the river; no industrial effluent
discharge (only about 35.9MLD); good penetration of solar radiation in a water body, owing
to the washing out of bottom sediments and colloidal form of pollutants; and reduced
human activity.
12. Table 2: Water Quality of River Yamuna During Lockdown period

Data of EC SS DO BOD COD TC FC

S. No. Water Quality Site River Period pH Source
Sampling µS/cm MPN/100 ml
mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L

Palla Yamuna PL 04.03.2020 8.70 668 17.10 7.90 28 CPCB

1
Palla Yamuna LP 06.04.2020 7.80 273 8.30 2.00 2 CPCB

Surghat Yamuna LY April, 2019 7.40 5.80 2.80 12 DPCB

2
Surghat Yamuna LP April, 2020 8.06 6.80 3.80 16 170 DPCB

Palton Pool Yamuna LP April, 2020 7.24 0.00 33.00 116 13000000 DPCB
3
Palton Pool Yamuna LY April, 2019 7.50 0.00 19.00 64 DPCB

Kudesia Ghat Yamuna LY April, 2019 7.20 0.00 24.00 76 DPCB

4
Kudesia Ghat Yamuna LP April, 2020 7.37 0.00 25.00 60 14000000 DPCB

ITO Bridge Yamuna LY April, 2019 7.00 0.00 28.00 88 DPCB

5
ITO Bridge Yamuna LP April, 2020 7.63 2.30 22.00 32 33000000 DPCB

Nizamuddin Bridge Yamuna PL 04.03.2020 7.30 1369 0.00 57.00 90 CPCB

6
Nizamuddin Bridge Yamuna LP 06.04.2020 7.20 460 2.40 5.60 16 CPCB

Agra Canal (Okhla

Yamuna LY April, 2019 7.30 0.00 24.00 68 DPCB
Barrage)
7
Agra Canal (Okhla
Yamuna LP April, 2020 7.46 4.80 16.00 42 260000 DPCB
Barrage)

Agra Canal (Jaitpur) Yamuna LY April, 2019 7.40 0.00 23.00 64 DPCB
8
Agra Canal (Jaitpur) Yamuna LP April, 2020 7.45 4.20 17.00 48 1400000 DPCB

Okhla upstream Yamuna PL 04.03.2020 7.20 861 ND 27.00 95 CPCB

9
Okhla upstream Yamuna LP 06.04.2020 7.10 488 1.20 6.10 18 CPCB

D/S/ Okhla Barrage after

meeting Shardra Drain
Yamuna LY April, 2019 7.40 0.00 28.00 96 DPCB
10
D/S/ Okhla Barrage after
meeting Shardra Drain
Yamuna LP April, 2020 7.63 0.00 23.00 76 1200000 DPCB

U/S Vrindavan Yamuna PL 07.03.2020 5.30 9.00 70000 UPPCB

11
U/S Vrindavan Yamuna LP 08.04.2020 7.40 7.00 46000 UPPCB

D/S Vrindavan Yamuna PL 07.03.2020 5.20 10.40 88000 UPPCB

12
D/S Vrindavan Yamuna LP 08.04.2020 7.20 8.00 54000 UPPCB

U/S Mathura Yamuna PL 07.03.2020 4.90 11.00 92000 UPPCB

13
U/S Mathura Yamuna LP 08.04.2020 7.30 9.00 72000 UPPCB

D/S Mathura Yamuna PL 07.03.2020 4.60 12.00 130000 UPPCB

14
D/S Mathura Yamuna LP 08.04.2020 7.20 10.00 80000 UPPCB

U/S Kaliash ghat

Yamuna PL 07.03.2020 5.60 11.80 49000 UPPCB
Agra
15
U/S Kaliash ghat
Yamuna LP 08.04.2020 6.30 9.60 33000 UPPCB
Agra

D/S Tajmahal, Agra Yamuna PL 07.03.2020 5.00 13.60 101000 UPPCB

16
D/S Tajmahal, Agra Yamuna LP 08.04.2020 5.40 11.20 88000 UPPCB
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