Surface Water Pollution

Surface Water Pollution

(a) The steps taken by the Government to address the issues of water pollution include the following:-

i. Preparation of action plan for sewage management and restoration of water quality in aquatic resources by State Governments;

ii. Installation of Online Effluent Monitoring System to check the discharge of effluent directly into the rivers and water bodies;

iii. Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of water quality;

iv. Action to comply with effluent standards is taken by State Pollution Control Boards / Pollution Control Committees (SPCBs / PCCs) to improve the water quality of the rivers;

v. Financial assistance for installation of Common Effluent Treatment Plants for cluster of Small Scale Industrial units;

vi. Issuance of directions for implementation of Zero Liquid Discharge;

vii. Issuance of directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to industries and under Section 18(1)(b) of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974;

viii. Implementation of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of various rivers and undertaking conservation activities which inter-alia include interception & diversion of raw sewage, construction of sewerage systems, setting up of sewage treatment plants, low cost sanitation facilities, education and awareness creation, community participation, electric/improved wood crematoria and river front development.

(b) According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), there are 816 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) located in different States/UTs; out of which, 522 STPs are operational, 79 STPs are non-operational, 145 STPs are under construction and 70 STPs are under planning stage.

(c) The treatment capacity of operational STPs is not adequate due to an existing gap of more than 38600 KLD in sewage generation and treatment. CPCB has issued directions to all SPCBs / PCCs to make it mandatory for local / urban bodies to set up STPs of adequate capacity and provide underground sewerage system to cover areas and bridge the treatment gap. CPCB has issued directions to Municipal authorities of 46 metropolitan cities and 20 State capitals and 118 Ganga basin towns/ cities for treatment and utilization of sewage for restoration of water quality of rivers.

This information was given by Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Anil Madhav Dave, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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HK
(Release ID :148580)