Question : Underground Water Pollution

(a) whether the Government has any policy regarding underground water pollution in the country especially Delhi;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the various steps taken to check the same and impose penalties on the concerned ones?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

(a) & (b) As per information received, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has made a comprehensive programme on water pollution for controlling point sources by developing industry specific standards and general standards for discharge of effluent which were notified under ''The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986” by the Government of India. These standards are to be enforced by the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) including Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

(c) Steps taken to check the ground water pollution are –

(i). Control of industrial pollution under the provision of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 by consent mechanism being applied by SPCBs/ PCCs.


(ii). A mutually agreed time targeted programme is implemented under Corporate Responsibility on Environment Protection (CREP).

(iii). Establishment of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) for cluster of Small Scale Industrial units.

(iv). Continuous water quality monitoring systems are being established on industrial units in the country, through the directives issued by CPCB, for getting real time information on the effluent quality.

Action is taken against the industries/units which are operating without consent or not meeting the prescribed standards for effluent discharge under the Water (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
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