The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

 The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 is a law in India that aims to prevent and control water pollution: 

Purpose: The act was enacted to maintain or restore the quality of water in India. 

Boards: The act established boards to prevent and control water pollution. 

Penalties: The act provides penalties for those who fail to comply with the board's orders. 

Consent: The act requires prior consent from the board to establish or use new or existing outlets for discharging sewage or trade effluent. 

State boards: The act empowers state boards to plan programs to prevent and control water pollution. State boards also have the power to inspect sewage and trade effluent works, and to review water purification plants. 

Applications: The act requires applications for registration, authorization, and consent to be made to the appropriate authorities. 

Cess: The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977, was enacted to levy a cess on water used by certain industrial activities. The cess funds the Central Board and the State Boards. 

Here are some important clauses of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974:

Section 24

Prohibits the disposal of polluting matters into streams or wells in excess of the standards set by the Board 

Section 25/26

Restricts the establishment or use of new or existing outlets or discharges without prior consent from the Board 

Section 31

Requires industries, operations, or processes to provide information to the State Board about accidental discharges of poisonous matter 

Section 42

States penalties and fines for certain acts, such as pulling down pillars, obstructing the Board, damaging the Board's property, or failing to provide required information 

Pollution control boards

The Act created pollution control boards to implement its provisions 

India's Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974: An ...

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted to prevent and control water pollution, and to maintain or restore the wholesomeness of water in the country.