On January 22, 2025, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) issued a crucial notification addressing the issue of industries discharging effluent with COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) exceeding the permissible limits into Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) in the Thane-Belapur and MIDC Waluj industrial areas.
The notification aims to enhance enforcement measures and ensure stricter compliance with environmental regulations.
Background and Issues Identified
During a performance audit (2017-2022) conducted by the Office of the Principal Accountant General (Audit)-II, the audit team raised concerns regarding the lack of penalty enforcement against industries that were violating the effluent discharge standards. These violations were particularly noted in the CETP Thane-Belapur and MIDC Waluj areas, where industries were found discharging effluent exceeding the permissible limits of COD into the CETP inlets.
Action Plan and New Directives
To address the issue and ensure timely compliance, the following directives have been issued by the MPCB:
Regular Reporting by CETPs:
- All Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) in Maharashtra are required to submit information on defaulting industries to their respective Regional Offices (RO) and Sub-Regional Offices (SRO) by the first week of every month. These industries are those discharging effluent with COD levels beyond the permissible limit into the CETP inlet.
Effluent Sampling and Analysis:
- Upon receiving the list of defaulting industries from CETPs, RO/SRO offices are tasked with collecting effluent samples from these industries. The samples will be analyzed in the MPCB laboratory.
Legal Action:
- Based on the results of the laboratory analysis, legal actions will be initiated against the defaulting industries. The actions will be taken according to the findings and in compliance with the guidelines set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
- Additionally, CETP management is authorized to impose penal charges on their defaulting members based on the guidelines issued by CPCB in October 2001.
Timely Compliance:
- CETP management is expected to comply with the new procedure promptly. Delays in data submission or failure to enforce penalties will be considered a violation of the circular’s guidelines. The strict adherence to this process is mandatory to ensure accountability and compliance.
Importance of the Circular
The notification emphasizes the need for stricter monitoring and enforcement to tackle the growing environmental concerns caused by untreated or improperly treated industrial effluent. By ensuring regular reporting, swift sample collection, and imposition of penalties, the MPCB aims to control the pollution levels in Maharashtra’s CETPs and reduce the environmental impact of industrial effluent discharge.
Additionally, the involvement of CETP management in penalizing defaulting industries ensures that self-regulation within CETPs is strengthened, making the process more efficient and accountable.
