Millions without clean water as sludge seeps into Yamuna River

An ammonia spike in the Yamuna forced six of Delhi's nine water treatment plants to close, cutting running water to roughly two million people in 43 neighborhoods; officials say they will expand sewage processing to 1,500 million gallons a day and extend sewer lines to informal housing by 2028.

Delhi experienced a major disruption to its municipal water supply after increased ammonia levels in the Yamuna River led to the temporary closure of six of the city's nine water treatment facilities. The closures affected many neighborhoods and brought renewed attention to long-standing pollution in the river. City officials have announced plans to raise sewage processing capacity and to extend sewer lines to informal housing by 2028. International nonprofits are also funding sanitation projects in underserved communities. Key known details: - Elevated ammonia in the Yamuna caused six of nine Delhi water treatment plants to close recently. - Roughly two million people across 43 neighborhoods lost running water for days, and some residents later reported water and health concerns. - An oversight body reported that Delhi contributes a large share of the river's contamination despite a small portion of the river running through the city. - Officials announced plans to increase sewage processing to 1,500 million gallons a day and to extend sewer connections to informal housing areas by 2028, while nonprofits fund local sanitation projects. Summary: The closures interrupted water access for millions and underscored chronic pollution and infrastructure gaps affecting the Yamuna and Delhi's supply. Officials have set targets for increased sewage processing and sewer expansion through 2028, and aid from international nonprofits is underway. Undetermined at this time is how quickly those measures will restore consistent, safe water access across all affected neighborhoods.