What is the Role of Pollution Control Board?

Ashish M. Shaji

17 May, 2021

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974 provides for the constitution of the Central and State Boards and deals with the Functions of the Pollution Control Board. The Central Board is constituted by Central Government, and the state board is constituted by the state government. In this article, we shall take a look at the role of Pollution Control Board. 

What is the need for a pollution control board?

There is a need to prevent pollution, and its prevention will reduce financial and environmental costs. By preventing pollution, environment is protected and also natural resources while strengthening economic growth. Thus the primary cause for the introduction of the pollution control board is to prevent pollution and save the environment.

Role of Pollution Control Board: Central

The central board is a body corporate with perpetual succession with the authority to acquire, hold and dispose. They can enter into a contract and can sue or can be sued in the name of Central Board.

As per Section 16 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974, the Central Pollution Control Board has the following role to play:

• Advise Central Government

The Central Pollution Control Board^[1] (also referred as the Central Board) is required to advise the Central Government on prevention of water pollution and controlling the same.

• Co-ordinating with the State Board

The Central Board must co-ordinate activities of the State Boards in order to resolve disputes among both.

• Technical help and guidance to the State Board

The Central Board should provide technical assistance help and guidance to the state boards, perform investigations and research pertaining to the issue of water pollution, its prevention, control etc.

• Function as State Board

The Central Board can play such roles of the state board, and every state board would be bound by such directions. 

• Training Programs

The Central Board must organize and plan training programs for people engaged or to be engaged in programmes for water pollution prevention, control or abatement.

• Organize comprehensive programs

The Central Board should organize programmes through mass media regarding prevention and control of water pollution.

• Publication of Technical and Statistical data

The Central Board has to collect, compile and publish technical and statistical data pertaining to water pollution. Also, prepare manual, codes, or guides pertaining to the treatment and disposal of sewage and disseminate information connected to it.

• Lay down standards for stream/well

Another role of Pollution Control Board (Central) is to lay down, modify or annul standards for a stream/well.

• Execution of programme at National Level

The Central Board should plan and cause to be executed a program for prevention, control or reduction in water pollution.

Role of Pollution Control Board: State

Just like the Central Pollution Control Board, the State Pollution Control Board also has an important role to play. Its functions are as follows:

• Planning Comprehensive Programs

The State Pollution Control Board (also referred as the state board) should plan a comprehensive program for preventing, controlling and reducing pollution of streams and wells in the state.

• Advisory role

The State Board advises the state government on matters concerning prevention, control or reduction of water pollution.

• Disseminate information

The state board has to collect and disseminate information pertaining to water pollution and its prevention, control or reduction.

• Investigation and Search

The State board has to conduct, encourage and participate in investigation and search and research relating to prevention of water pollution, its control or abatement.

• Organize training program

The state board should collaborate with the Central Board and organize training of persons engaged in programs related to prevention, control or abatement of water pollution and also organize mass education programs. 

• Sewage inspection and trade effluents plants

The state board is required to inspect sewage or trade effluents works and plants to treat sewage. They should review plans, specifications or other data pertaining to plants set up for the purification work, treatment of water.

• Standards for causing discharge of water

The State board should lay down, modify or annul effluents standards for the sewage and trade effluents and to classify water of the state.

• Economic ways of treatment of sewage

The State board should evolve economical and reliable methods for sewage treatment and trade effluents with respect to the peculiar conditions of climate, soil etc, in different regions.

• Methods regarding using sewage

The State Board should evolve methods of utilizing sewage and suitable trade effluents in agriculture.

• Methods for sewage disposal

Another role of Pollution Control Board (State) is to evolve methods of sewage disposal and trade effluents on land.

• Standards for sewage treatment

The State board should lay down standards of treatment of sewage and trade effluents to be discharged into particular stream.

Conclusion

The role of Pollution Control Board is critical to the well being of the environment. The central, as well as state board, must cohesively function for protection of the environment and take steps to prevent, control or abate pollution.

Read our article: How to Obtain DPCC Consent? – Detailed Overview