The State Board for Prevention and Control of Water Pollution - The Water Act 1974

1. The Water (Prevention
and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1974
Presented by
Linciya M
M.com(2023 - 2025)
S.T. Hindu College
Nagercoil, Kanyakumari.

2. • The Act came into force in 1974 and is applicable to the
states of Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana,
Tripura, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan,
Kerala, and the union territories.
• Other states can adopt this Act through a resolution
under Article 252 of the Constitution.
• The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was
enacted to provide for the prevention and control of water
pollution, and for the maintaining or restoring of
wholesomeness of water in the country.
2

3. Definitions
Section 2 (e) of the Act defines what is pollution,
Pollution means any contamination of water or alteration
of the physical, chemical and biological properties of
water or such discharge of any sewage or trade effluent
or of any other liquid, gaseous or solid substance into
water (whether directly or indirectly) as may, or is likely to,
create a nuisance or render such water harmful or
injurious to public health or safety, or to domestic,
commercial, industrial, agricultural or other legitimate
uses, or to the life and health of the animals or plants and
of aquatic organisms.
3

4. Agencies for controlling Water Pollution
There are two agencies set up as per the Act for controlling and preventing water
pollution.
Central Board- Central Pollution Control Board
1
State Board- State Pollution Control Board
2
4

5. The State board for
prevention and control of
water pollution

6. Constitution and Composition (Section 4)
The state government through an official notice in the Gazette has the
power to assign or set up a state board named as State Pollution Control
Board. The composition of the state board is as follows:
1. A Chairman who either has the knowledge or some experience in
dealing with cases relating to environmental pollution.
2. Not more than 5 members appointed by the state government to
represent the government.
State Pollution Control Board
6

7. 3. Not more than 5 persons by the state government who are functioning
as members of the local authorities within the state.
4. Not more than 3 persons nominated by the state government to
represent the interest of fisheries, agriculture, trade and any other
interest as the government may seem fit.
5. 2 person from companies, corporations which are either controlled,
owned or managed by the state.
6. A member secretary who has the knowledge, qualifications, and
experience in dealing with cases pertaining to environmental pollution.
State Pollution Control Board
7

8. 1. Planning comprehensive programmes for the prevention, control
and abatement of water pollution in streams and wells;
2. Collecting and disseminating information related to water
pollution;
3. Advise the State Government on any matter concerning the
prevention, control or abatement of water pollution;
4. Encouraging, conducting and participating in investigations and
research related to problems of water pollution and its
prevention;
Functions of State Board (Section 17)
8

9. 5. Inspecting sewage, trade effluents, sewage treatment plants
and reviewing water purification plants;
6. Collaborating with the central board to train persons
employed or to be employed in preventing, controlling water
pollution.
7. Establishing or modifying effluent standards for sewage and
trade effluents.
8. The state Board has the authority to set up laboratories to
enable the board to perform its function efficiently, including
collecting samples of water from any stream or sewage or
trade effluents.
Functions of State Board (Section 17)
9

10. 9. Section 25 of the Act mandates that the State Board’s
consent is necessary to set up any industry, operation or
process, which is likely to discharge sewage or trade
effluents into a stream, well or on land.
10. Every State Board shall maintain a register containing
information related to sewage outlets and effluents.
Functions of State Board (Section 25)
10

11. REFERENCE
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974 (Water Act).
https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/15429/1/the_water_%28prevention_an
d_control_of_pollution%29_act%2C_1974.pdf
https://cpcb.nic.in/water-pollution/
https://blog.ipleaders.in/water-prevention-and-control-of-pollution-act1974/
11

12. Thank you for your
attention !