New Delhi: Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has submitted its findings to the NGT, revealing significant pollution in Satpula Lake, a south Delhi waterbody slated for restoration.
Tests have shown a high concentrations of ammoniacal nitrogen and other pollutants linked to untreated sewage inflow, despite an existing DDA sewage treatment facility.
After NGT’s orders, that followed a Times of India report in April, DPCC did tests on Nov 28 at both the STP outlet and the lake.
The ToI report, dated April 6 — titled “On revamp priority list, Satpula lake being filed up with raw sewage from drain” — highlighted that raw sewage being pumped into the lake from a drain near Khirki, close to Saket court in south Delhi. Official records show the lake spans 3.02 acres within a DDA park.
The Dec 13 submission indicates that DPCC inspected the pond on July 24, intimated DDA, reminded again in Oct and on Nov 28 collected samples that showed a high level of pollution.
Analysis showed the lake had excessive Ammoniacal Nitrogen with no Dissolved Oxygen. The STP’s treated water output surpassed permissible limits for BOD, COD, Total Suspended Solids, Dissolved Phosphate and Ammoniacal Nitrogen.
DPCC instructed DDA to resolve these issues and provide an updated report. After receiving no response to their July enquiry, DPCC sent a follow-up in October.
DPCC mention ed in the report that “in view of the inspection findings, dated 24.07.2024, DPCC issued a letter on 29.07.2024 to DDA to repair the dysfunctional parts of the STP so as to make it functional and submit the treated water analysis report… from a DPCC lab or any other NABL accredited laboratory within 15 days.”
As no response came from DDA, “a reminder letter, dated 15.10.2024, was issued, requesting DDA to repair the dysfunctional STP so as to make it functional and provide the details and capacity of the STP installed by DDA”. DPCC also sought details on where the raw sewage was going, it said. “No reply has been submitted by DDA till 10.12.2024,” it added.
After additional testing on Nov 28 showed high pollution levels, DPCC arranged a meeting with DDA on Dec 11. DDA explained that the STP was non-operational but also claimed that it had been functioning since Oct.
“DDA has submitted its reply through email on 12.12.2024…. DDA has informed that during monsoon, there was excessive surface runoff in the lake to the extent that an overflow arrangement had to be made. As such, there was no need to operate the STP. However, it was observed that the runoff was mixed with overflow from sewer of Khirki village leading to pollution in the lake. The STP is operational since Oct 1, 2024,” the report said.
Notably, despite DDA’s claim of STP operation since Oct 1, DPCC’s Nov tests showed pollution in the water.
To verify DDA’s clean-up claims, DPCC collected additional samples.
“That, to cross verify the DDA claim, DPCC has collected samples again on 12.12.2024 to know the present status. The sample results are awaited,” DPCC said.
