
Effluent Discharge Display Board
Effluent discharge display boards are an important part of environmental compliance for industries in India. These boards provide essential information to the public regarding the quality of wastewater being discharged by industrial units into water bodies, as mandated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Effluent Discharge Display Board: Overview
An effluent discharge display board is a visible signboard installed at the discharge points of industrial units, particularly those discharging effluents into rivers, streams, or other water bodies. The board displays real-time or periodic data regarding the composition of the effluent discharge, including parameters such as:
- pH (acidity/alkalinity)
- Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
- Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
- Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
- Oil & Grease Content
- Heavy Metals (e.g., lead, mercury)
- Temperature
- Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
The information displayed ensures transparency and allows the public to monitor the pollution level in their environment. It is part of India’s effort to enforce stricter environmental norms and hold industries accountable for their discharge practices.
Laws and Regulations Governing Effluent Discharge in India
The legal framework governing effluent discharge and the requirement for display boards stems from various provisions under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and guidelines from the CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs). Below are the key provisions:
1. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
- Section 25: No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any effluent or sewage into a stream or well without the consent of the State Pollution Control Board.
- Section 26: Deals with the restrictions on the discharge of effluents without following certain standards.
- Section 33A: Provides powers to the state boards to issue directions to industries to stop pollution and comply with standards, including installation of pollution control measures.
Under this Act, the CPCB and the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) are empowered to set standards for the discharge of pollutants.
2. Environment Protection Act, 1986
- The Environment Protection Act provides for the setting of environmental standards for various pollutants, including effluent discharge. Under this Act, the Central Government, based on recommendations from the CPCB, may prescribe standards for the discharge of pollutants into water bodies.
- Section 3(2)(v) gives the government the authority to set standards and enforce them, including the imposition of fines or penalties for non-compliance.
3. CPCB Guidelines and Notifications
- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in consultation with SPCBs, has issued various standards under the Water Act for controlling water pollution. These include discharge norms for industries such as:
- Effluent Standards for industries such as textiles, tanneries, chemical manufacturers, etc.
- Emission Standards for air pollutants from industries.
Additionally, CPCB issued guidelines for:
- Real-time monitoring of effluent discharge.
- Display of effluent quality parameters on boards at the discharge points, ensuring that citizens can verify compliance with environmental norms.
4. Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO)
- Industrial units that discharge effluents must obtain Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) from the SPCB.
- These consents impose certain standards on the quantity and quality of effluents discharged. Any failure to meet these standards can result in penalties or the suspension of operations.
In this context, effluent discharge boards act as an additional tool to ensure compliance, by displaying real-time data.
5. National Green Tribunal (NGT)
- The NGT is a quasi-judicial body in India that deals with environmental disputes and violations of laws relating to environmental protection, including effluent discharge violations.
- NGT often receives complaints regarding the violation of effluent discharge standards, and the tribunal has the authority to issue directives to industries to ensure compliance.
Display Board Requirements
The CPCB has laid down some guidelines for the installation and maintenance of effluent discharge display boards to make sure they are informative and transparent. Some of the essential requirements include:
- Size and Visibility: The board should be large enough to be visible to the public. It must be installed at a prominent location near the discharge point.
- Data Displayed: The board must clearly display the following:
- The name of the industry and address.
- Consent orders (CTE and CTO) issued by the SPCB.
- Effluent quality parameters in accordance with CPCB norms. The date and time of the last testing or monitoring.
- Periodic Updates: The displayed data should be updated at regular intervals as per CPCB guidelines—usually once a day or once a week depending on the monitoring system.
- Real-time Monitoring: In some cases, real-time online monitoring systems may be mandated for high-risk industries. This data may also be displayed on the board or available for public access online.
- Contact Details: Information regarding how citizens can report violations, including a hotline or email address of the SPCB or CPCB, should be included.
Conclusion
Effluent discharge display boards are an essential measure to ensure transparency and public accountability regarding the impact of industrial effluents on the environment. By displaying real-time or periodic data about the effluent quality, industries are encouraged to maintain compliance with environmental norms, and the public is empowered to monitor and raise concerns about potential pollution issues.
These display boards are governed by several regulations under the Water Act, Environment Protection Act, and CPCB guidelines, aimed at curbing industrial pollution and safeguarding water bodies in India. CIPL offers various Industrial Integrated Display Boards that help industries in complying with CPCB guidelines and various laws of the Gov. of India.