THE WATER (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) ACT, 1974

ACT NO. 6 OF 1974 · Enacted [23rd March, 1974.] · 68 sections

PRELIMINARY

Section 1.Short title, application and commencement.

Section 2.Definitions.

THE CENTRAL AND STATE BOARDS FOR PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF WATER POLLUTION

Section 3.Constitution of Central Boards.

Section 4.Constitution of State Board.

Section 5.Terms and conditions of service of members.

Section 6.Disqualifications.

Section 7.Vacation of seats by members.

Section 8.Meetings of Board.

Section 9.Constitution of committees.

Section 10.Temporary association of persons with Board for particular purposes.

Section 11.Vacancy in Board not to invalidate acts or proceedings.

Section 11A.Delegation of powers to Chairman.

Section 12.Member-secretary and officers and other employees of Board.

JOINT BOARDS

Section 13.Constitution of Joint Board.

Section 14.Composition of Joint Boards.

Section 15.Special provision relating to giving of directions.

POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF BOARDS

Section 16.Functions of Central Board.

Section 17.Functions of State Board.

Section 18.Powers to give directions.

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF WATER POLLUTION

Section 19.Power of State Government to restrict the application of the Act to certain areas.

Section 20.Power to obtain information.

Section 21.Power to take samples of effluents and procedure to be followed in connection therewith.

Section 22.Reports of the result of analysis on samples taken under section 21.

Section 23.Power of entry and inspection.

Section 24.Prohibition on use of stream or well for disposal of polluting matter, etc.

Section 25.Restrictions on new outlets and new discharges.

Section 26.Provision regarding existing discharge of sewage or trade effluent.

Section 27.Refusal or withdrawal of consent by State Board.

Section 28.Appeals.

Section 29.Revision.

Section 30.Power of State Board to carry out certain works.

Section 31.Furnishing of information to State Board and other agencies in certain cases.

Section 32.Emergency measures in case of pollution of stream or well.

Section 33.Power of Board to make application to courts for restraining apprehended pollution of water in streams or wells.

Section 33A.Power to give directions.

FUNDS, ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT

Section 34.Contributions by Central Government.

Section 35.Contributions by State Government.

Section 36.Fund of Central Board.

Section 37.Fund of State Board.

Section 37A.Borrowing powers of Board.

Section 38.Budget.

Section 39.Annual report.

Section 40.Accounts and audit.

PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE

Section 41.Failure to comply with directions under sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) of section 20, or orders issued under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 32.

Section 42.Penalty for certain acts.

Section 43.Penalty for contravention of provisions of section 24.

Section 44.Penalty for contravention of section 25 or section 26.

Section 45.Enhanced penalty after previous conviction.

Section 45A.Penalty for contravention of certain provisions of the Act.

Section 46.Publication of names of offenders.

Section 47.Offences by companies.

Section 48.Offences by Government Departments.

Section 49.Cognizance of offences.

Section 50.Members, officers and servants of Board to be public servants.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 51.Central Water Laboratory.

Section 52.State Water Laboratory.

Section 53.Analysts.

Section 54.Reports of analysts.

Section 55.Local authorities to assist.

Section 56.Compulsory acquisition of land for the State Board.

Section 57.Returns and reports.

Section 58.Bar of jurisdiction.

Section 59.Protection of action taken in good faith.

Section 60.Overriding effect.

Section 61.Power of Central Government to supersede the Central Board and Joint Boards.

Section 62.Power of State Government to supersede State Board.

Section 63.Power of Central Government to make rules.

Section 64.Power of State Government to make rules.