Simulating strategic measures for managing water quality in the Delhi stretch of the River Yamuna, India

The 22 km-long Delhi stretch of river Yamuna, India is highly polluted because of discharge of untreated wastewater. In this study, various pollution abatement measures such as wastewater treatment, flow augmentation, and diversion are explored using simulation models to evolve strategic measures, policies, and guidelines for improving the river water quality. Three cases viz, Case A: existing layout with all 15 drains (D1–D15) discharging; Case B: layout after diversion of the Najafgarh drain (D1); and Case C: layout after diversion of all drains (D2–D15) other than Najafgarh drain are conceptualized. A total of 34 scenarios characterizing different levels of wastewater treatment, flow augmentation, and drain diversion, as standalone and considered in combination are simulated using the QUAL2E water-quality simulation model. Results reveal that tertiary treatment at all the drains (D1–D15) outfall under the existing layout, i.e., Case A, would be the most feasible option, whereas flow augmentation alone is not.