Question : Discharge of Waste Water by Industries

(a) whether the Government is aware that big industrial companies are discharging the waste water underground by digging deep borings and the boards and other regulatory institutions have not taken any action against such industries;
(b)if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to take action against such industries, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons thereof;
(d) whether the Government proposes to appeal public through print and electronic media for identifying such industries; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a ) to (c) Under the provision of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 industry specific environmental standards are notified for discharge on Inland surface water, Public sewer, land irrigation and marine coastal area. Discharge of waste water by digging deep boring is prohibited.

Guidelines notified vide SO. 3289 ( E) dated 24.09.2020 for regulation and control of ground water development, injection of treated/ untreated waste water into aquifer system is strictly prohibited. Further, section 16 stipulates that non- complying industries shall be liable to pay penalty of Rs. 10 lakh and bear the cost of aquifer remediation.

(d) & (e) Central Pollution Control Board from time to time, organizes training programmes and workshops for stakeholders for awareness generation. Some of the awareness programmes inter alia include training for Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) operators in Delhi and Haryana for effluent management by CETPs, trainings and workshops for various industrial sectors such as textiles, sugar, tanneries and pulp & paper for water conservation and effluent management, training for implementation of charter Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) located in Ganga River, workshop on restoration of water bodies/rejuvenation of polluted rivers, etc. .

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