Responding to recent water contamination complaints in several South Delhi colonies, Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials said field teams are deployed to inspect affected areas, collect samples and carry out corrective measures. A senior official attributed most localised incidents to ageing infrastructure and operational stress during the summer months.

A senior official said rapid population growth, rising demand and uneven consumption patterns had placed increasing pressure on Delhi’s water network.

This summer, reduced output at major water treatment plants (WTPs) created supply shortfalls of 40–100 MGD on many days, even as peak demand crossed 1,200 MGD. Officials said efforts were made to secure additional water from Haryana, while water levels at the Wazirabad pond – which stores Yamuna water before treatment – fell below the 674.5-foot level required for normal plant operations.

“Out of Delhi’s 16,634-km water distribution network, nearly 5,500 km of pipelines are more than 30 years old and about 3,000 km are 25–30 years old. These ageing lines are prone to leakages and contamination. Huge quantities of treated water are lost before reaching consumers,” Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh told reporters earlier this June.

“Replacing old pipelines, reducing leakages, modernising distribution systems and strengthening water infrastructure are essential if Delhi has to become water secure,” he said, adding that the work was being prioritised.

Officials said long-term measures include phased pipeline replacement, desilting and network upgrades to reduce losses and maintain stable pressure.

In early June 2026, DJB also announced a water rationalisation initiative after an internal survey found significant disparities across Delhi’s 70 Assembly constituencies. Officials said the exercise would assess population density, demand, supply and infrastructure before corrective measures are implemented.