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THE WATER (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION)

ACT, 1974

FUNCTIONS OF CENTRAL AND STATE BOARDS

THE CENTRAL BOARD

THE STATE BOARD

POWERS TO INSPECT AND ANALYSE EFFLUENT

CONSENT FROM PCB FOR INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS

INFORMATION TO PCB
FUNCTIONS OF CENTRAL AND STATE BOARDS

The Act specifies the functions and powers of the Central Board, State Board and Joint
Boards.

The Central Board

- coordinates the activities of the State Boards,

- provides technical assistance and guidance to them,
- organises training programme, ,
- lays down / modifies the effluent standards in consultation with the State Boards.
- disseminate information to the public for the prevention, abatement and control of
water pollution in conformity with the main function of the Board.

Central Board perform the functions of SPCB in Union Territories.

The State Board

- has been empowered to inspect the effluent treatment plants,

- lay down effluent and stream quality standards,
- evolve economical and reliable methods of treatment of effluents, their utilisation in
agriculture and disposal on land and
- advise the State Government with respect to the location of any industry.

POWERS TO INSPECT THE FACTORY AND ANALYSE EFFLUENT

For the purpose of enforcement, the State Board has been empowered to analyse / get the
sample analysed, to enter and inspect the factory for examination of any plant, records,
register, document and for seizing these if there is reason to believe that those would act
as evidence under the Act.

CONSENT FROM PCB FOR INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS

Before any industry commences its operations, it is necessary to obtain approval letters
(known as consent orders) from the Board, to discharge its effluents.

The effluent standards and the parameters within which the industry is to operate its plants
is contained in this consent order, issued to the industry. If the industry is aggrieved by
conditions in the consent order, it can appeal under the Act within 30 days of the order.

INFORMATION TO PCB

The Act makes it obligatory on part of the industry to communicate to the Board any
unforseen event likely to lead to pollution and the Board is empowered to take necessary
action to prevent and mitigate the effects of such discharges.