Question : Discharge of Waste Water Underground

(a) whether big industrial companies are discharging their waste water underground by digging deep borings and the Board or other institutions are not taking 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 therefor;
(d) whether the Government proposes to make appeal to the 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
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (c) Central Pollution Control board (CPCB) has not reported any such case wherein industry discharges its wastewater/ effluent into groundwater by digging borings. As per the industry specific environmental standards notified by the Ministry under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, discharge of treated or untreated wastewater from industry into the groundwater is not allowed, except in oil drilling sector where re-injection of treated wastewater, meeting the norms, is allowed in abandoned well at a depth of 1000 metres from the ground level. All industries are required to install Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) for treatment of wastewater as per the conditions in the Consent to Operate issued by the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/ Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Only treated effluent, meeting the standards, is permitted to be discharged into surface water/ land for irrigation.

Steps taken to ensure compliance of environmental standards by industries include issuing of directions to industries for installation of online effluent monitoring systems; identification and monitoring of Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs); inspection of industries by the CPCB, SPCBs and action against non-complying units under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution), Act, 1974, etc.

(d) & (e) If any such case is reported, action under law shall be initiated including closure of industry violating norms if needed.

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