Delhi’s Floodplains Act as Natural Filter for Yamuna Water

Delhi’s water comes from the Yamuna River.

The river carries many tiny chemicals from factories, farms, and homes.

The river flows over wide flat areas called floodplains that are made of sand and clay.

As the water moves through these layers, the sand and soil trap and break down the chemicals.

This natural process is called riverbank filtration.

Scientists measured the water in the river and in wells that tap the filtered water.

They found that most of the harmful chemicals were much lower in the wells.

The floodplains help keep Delhi’s drinking water cleaner.

But the scientists say we still need better sewage treatment and must protect the floodplains from being built on.