PROJECT WORK SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF PARTIAL

FULFILMENT OF REQUIREMENT OF THE DEGREE OF

B.A. L.L.B(H)

INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT LAW PROJECT WORK

WATER POLLUTION

Submitted toMr. Prabhat Kumar Singh

Submitted by
Gurpreet Singh
A11911111029,
Section A
Semester 8

Acknowledgement

It is not possible to prepare a project report without the assistance &

encouragement of other people. This one is certainly no exception.
I take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude and deep regards to my
Professor, Mr. Prabhat Kumar Singh for her exemplary guidance, monitoring and
constant encouragement throughout the course of this assignment. The blessing,
help and guidance given by her time to time shall carry me a long way in the
journey of life on which I am about to embark.

- Gurpreet Singh

Table of Contents

Introduction
Causes of water pollution in India
Pollution Control Acts and Regulations in India
Suggestions for Treating Polluted water

Introduction

Clean and plentiful water provides the foundation for prosperous communities. We
rely on clean water to survive, yet right now we are heading towards a water crisis.
Changing climate patterns are threatening lakes and rivers, and key sources that we
tap for drinking water are being overdrawn or tainted with pollution.
Dirty water is the world's biggest health risk, and continues to threaten both quality
of life and public health in the India. When water from rain and melting snow runs
off roofs and roads into our rivers, it picks up toxic chemicals, dirt, trash and
disease-carrying organisms along the way. Many of our water resources also lack
basic protections, making them vulnerable to pollution from factory farms and
industrial plants. This can lead to drinking water contamination and habitat
degradation.
From more severe and frequent droughts to unprecedented flooding, many of the
most profound and immediate impacts of climate change will relate to water. More
than one-third of all counties in the lower 48 states will face higher risks of water
shortages by mid-century as a result of global warming. Other impacts will include
sea level rise, saltwater intrusion, harm to fisheries and more frequent and intense
storm events.
India is recognised as has having major problems with water pollution,
predominantly due to untreated sewerage. Rivers such as the Ganges, the Yamuna
and Buddha Nullah, all flowing through highly populated areas, are polluted.

Causes of water pollution in India

Sewage And Waste Water: Sewage, garbage and liquid waste of households,
agriculture lands and factories are discharged into lakes and rivers. These
wastes contain harmful chemicals and toxins which make the water poisonous
for aquatic animals and plants. A 1992 World Health Organization study is
claimed to have reported that out of India's 3,119 towns and cities, just 209 have
partial sewage treatment facilities, and only 8 have full wastewater treatment
facilities. Downstream, the untreated water is used for drinking, bathing, and
washing. A 1995 report claimed 114 Indian cities were dumping untreated
sewage and the partially cremated bodies directly into the Ganges River. Open
defecation is widespread even in urban areas of India. This situation is typical
of India as well as other developing countries. The scientific analysis of water
samples from 1995 to 2008 indicates that the organic and bacterial
contaminations are severe in water bodies of India. This is mainly due to
discharge of domestic wastewater in untreated form, mostly from the urban
centers of India.
Dumping: Dumping of solid wastes and litters in water bodies causes huge
problems. Litters include glass, plastic, aluminum, styrofoam etc. Different
things take different amount of time to degrade in water. They affect aquatic
plants and animals.

Industrial Waste:

Industrial waste contains pollutants like asbestos, lead,

mercury and petrochemicals which are extremely harmful to both people and
environment. Industrial waste is discharged into lakes and rivers by using fresh
water making the water contaminated.
Oil Pollution: Sea water gets polluted due to oil spilled from ships and tankers
while traveling. The spilled oil does not dissolve in water and forms a thick
sludge polluting the water.
Acid Rain: Acid rain is pollution of water caused by air pollution. When the
acidic particles caused by air pollution in the atmosphere mix with water vapor,
it results in acid rain.
Global Warming:

Due to global warming, there is an increase in water

temperature. This increase in temperature results in death of aquatic plants and

animals. This also results in bleaching of coral reefs in water.
Eutrophication: Eutrophication is an increased level of nutrients in water
bodies. This results in bloom of algae in water. It also depletes the oxygen in
water, which negatively affects fish and other aquatic animal population.

Pollution control Acts and Regulations in India

In 1976, when the Indian parliament passed the 42 nd amendment to its constitution
safeguarding the environment, it became the first country in the world to do so.
The amendment was to endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to
safeguard the forests and wild life of the country. It imposes a duty on every
Indian citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests,
lakes, rivers, and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures.
According to the Environment Protection Act of 1986, Environment is that which
includes the inter-relationship which exists among and between water, air, and
land and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organism and
property.
Essentially, The Water (Prevention & Control) Act, 1974 can be considered to be
truly the first regulations. It has been amended many times since then.
THE WATER (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) ACT,
1974 AND ITS AMENDMENTS
The purpose of this act is to provide for the prevention and control of water
pollution and the maintenance or restoring wholesomeness of water for the
establishment, with a view to carrying out the purpose of aforesaid of Boards for
the prevention and control of water pollution, for conferring on and assigning to
such Boards powers and functions relating thereto and for matters connected

therewith. This is the Act that established the Central and a State Board and also
the authority and power to constitute as many committees as it feels essential to
carry out specific functions for it.
The Act specifically prohibits any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter into
any stream or well. Consent from the State Board is required for any type of new
discharge into any new stream or well. This also includes consent for
temperature discharges as done by cooling tower users. In general, this means
that a State consent or permit is required for all types of intake and/or discharge of
any type of liquid or water either from a running stream or well.
Under these rules, effluent standards to be complied with by persons while
causing discharge of sewage or sullage or both have been specified. Standards for
small scale industries have been specified separately.
Penalties for non-compliance with the permit or polluting in any way are
imprisonment for three months and fine of Rs. 10,000 (One US Dollar equals about
thirty six Indian Rupees) or fine up to Rs. 5,000 per day of violation or both plus
any expenses incurred by the Board for sampling, analysis, inspection etc. These
penalties can also be imposed for obstructing any person acting under the orders
or direction of the Board or for damages to any work or property of the Board.

There are penalties also which extend up to seven years plus other monetary fines
for other similar offenses. Any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the
company may also be deemed to be guilty if proved that the offense occurred with
their consent or connivance. In case of the government, department head could
be held liable.
THE WATER (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) CESS
ACT, 1977
This law provides for the levy and collection of a Cess on water consumed by
persons carrying on certain industries and by local authorities, with a view to
augment the resources of the Central and State Boards for the prevention and
control of water pollution constituted under the Water (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act, 1974. Industries were specified in Schedule I. They are:
Schedule I :
1. Ferrous: Metallurgical industry
2. Non-Ferrous: Metallurgical industry
3. Mining industry
4. Ore processing industry
5. Petroleum industry
6. Petro-chemical industry
7. Chemical industry

8. Ceramic industry
9. Cement industry
10.Textile industry
11.Paper industry
12.Fertilizer industry
13.Coal (including coke) industry
14.Power (thermal and diesel) generating industry
15.Processing of animal or vegetable products industry
Collection of Cess was based on the quantity of water consumed. The State
government had the authority to collect the Cess from the industry.

Suggestion for Treating Polluted water

It is very important to prevent the polluting of water bodies and remove existing
contaminants or reducing the concentration of these contaminants so as to make it
fit for desired use. Following are some of the ways of treating polluted water:
Industrial Treatment: The raw sewage is needed to be treated correctly in a
water treatment plant before it can be safely released into the environment. To
reduce the amount and toxicity of waste, it is passed through a number of chambers
and chemical processes in water treatment plant.
Denitrification: Conversion of nitrates in gas is called Denitrification. It is an
ecological approach to prevent leaching of nitrates in soil. It stops ground water
from getting contaminated.
Ozone Waste Water Treatment:

Ozone waste water treatment method is

becoming very popular. In this method, the pollutants in water are broken down by
an ozone generator. Ozone oxidizes bacteria, molds, organic material and other
pollutants in water. Septic Tanks: Septic tanks are used to treat sewage at the
place of location instead of treating it in any plant or sewage system. This system is
used at the individual building level. The sewage is separated into solid and liquid
and treated separately.