New Delhi – The Yamuna defoamer usage reached unprecedented levels between October and December last year, with 48,000 kilograms of chemicals deployed over 63 days to combat froth formation near Kalindi Kunj. This massive chemical intervention was revealed in the Delhi Jal Board’s response to a question raised in the Delhi legislative assembly.
The Yamuna defoamer usage campaign cost approximately ₹80 lakh for chemical procurement alone, marking it as the longest-ever anti-froth drive conducted on the river. The extensive duration and quantity of chemicals used have raised significant environmental concerns among activists and experts.
Chemical Application Methods
According to the Delhi Jal Board‘s official response, the Yamuna defoamer usage at Kalindi Kunj involved chemical dilution in a 1:10 ratio, following the prevailing practice established over the last three years. This ratio was determined based on assessment of foam quantity and water quality parameters.
The board emphasized that Yamuna defoamer usage was kept to a minimum, supplemented by mechanical methods including the froth arrester system and aeration by boat for froth rupture. These combined approaches aimed to provide comprehensive foam control while reducing chemical dependency.
Understanding Froth Formation
The froth problem that necessitates Yamuna defoamer usage occurs when soap-like surfactant molecules in polluted waters turn into foam as they fall from a height at the nearby Okhla barrage. This phenomenon creates the characteristic white froth that has become synonymous with Yamuna pollution.
The issue worsens during winter months when temperature drops make froth bubbles much more stable. The surfactant molecules causing this problem are produced through biological, physical, and chemical processes, making Yamuna defoamer usage a recurring necessity.
Sources of Pollution
Multiple pollution sources contribute to the conditions requiring extensive Yamuna defoamer usage. These include detergents and surfactants in untreated domestic sewage, pollutants from industries and dhobi ghats, and materials released by decomposition of dying water hyacinth weeds in the Okhla barrage.
This complex pollution mix creates persistent froth formation that has made Yamuna defoamer usage an annual ritual, particularly around the Chhath Puja festival when devotees enter the river for religious ceremonies.
Political Controversy
The Yamuna defoamer usage has previously been criticized by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while in opposition. Delhi witnesses an annual controversy around the festival period when images of devotees standing in glacier-like froth chunks during Chhath Puja go viral on social media.
These viral images highlight the severity of pollution and the controversial nature of Yamuna defoamer usage as a solution, with critics questioning whether chemicals provide a sustainable answer to the river’s pollution crisis.
Water Quality Monitoring
When questioned about water quality testing during the 63-day Yamuna defoamer usage period, the DJB revealed that the on-site temporary laboratory was removed the day after the Chhath festival. However, samples continued to be tested at the Okhla laboratory throughout the campaign.
This monitoring approach during Yamuna defoamer usage aimed to ensure that chemical application remained within acceptable parameters while tracking its impact on water quality.
Historical Comparison
Official sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that previous years saw 12-15 tonnes of chemicals used for froth removal. This makes the 2024 Yamuna defoamer usage three to four times higher than previous years, marking a dramatic escalation in chemical intervention.
The significantly increased Yamuna defoamer usage has alarmed environmental experts and activists who question the long-term sustainability and ecological impact of this approach.
Environmental Concerns Raised
On December 16, Yamuna activist Pankaj Kumar wrote to the Lieutenant Governor and Delhi government, flagging excessive Yamuna defoamer usage for a prolonged period. Kumar noted that in previous years, defoamers were used only briefly around Chhath Puja.
However, this year’s Yamuna defoamer usage continued from October 15 for nearly 60 days, which Kumar warned could have long-term adverse impacts on the river’s ecology and aquatic life.
Application Pattern Analysis
Interestingly, the 63-day Yamuna defoamer usage trend showed that more chemicals were applied when foam levels were lower during October 15-November 15. This period coincided with better river flow due to larger water quantities released from Hathnikund barrage.
Daily Yamuna defoamer usage decreased when frothing actually increased later, raising questions about the application strategy and its effectiveness in controlling froth formation.
Ecological Impact Warnings
Environmental experts warn that excessive Yamuna defoamer usage harms aquatic life through multiple mechanisms. Constant spraying causes reduced oxygen transfer due to hydrophobic films on the water surface, leading to oxygen depletion in the river.
The Yamuna defoamer usage also disrupts natural microbial activity and causes accumulation of non-biodegradable silicone oils and silica particles in sediments. This accumulation alters soil chemistry and harms benthic organisms living in river sediments.
Long-term Sustainability Questions
The unprecedented scale of Yamuna defoamer usage in 2024 raises fundamental questions about the sustainability of chemical interventions for managing river pollution. Critics argue that such massive chemical deployment treats symptoms rather than addressing root causes of pollution.
The ₹80 lakh expenditure o defonamer usage represents a recurring cost that could potentially be redirected toward sustainable pollution control measures, including improved sewage treatment infrastructure and industrial effluent management.
As Delhi continues grappling with Yamuna pollution, the debate over appropriate intervention methods and the role of chemical solutions remains contentious, with environmental advocates calling for comprehensive pollution prevention strategies rather than chemical-dependent froth removal approaches.
