New CPCB Norms for Treated Water Sewage and Effluent in India
The water pollution crisis in India has led to the implementation of strict regulations to monitor and control the discharge of untreated and treated sewage and effluent into inland surface water. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) have implemented norms and guidelines to ensure that the treated water sewage and effluent is of acceptable quality and does not harm the environment or public health.
Now we will discuss the new pollution control board norms for treated water sewage and effluent in India as per the CPCB and SPCBs.
Norms for Treated Sewage Water.
The CPCB [Environment (Protection) Amendment Rules, 2017] and SPCBs have set specific norms for the discharge of treated sewage water into inland surface water. The following table provides an overview of the CPCB and SPCB norms for treated sewage water:
|
Parameter |
CPCB norms for discharge of treated sewage into inland surface water (mg/L) |
SPCB norms for discharge of treated sewage into inland surface water (mg/L) |
|
pH |
6.5 - 9 |
6.5 - 8.5 |
|
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) |
20,
Metro Cities*, all State Capitals except in the State of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadar and Nagar Haveli Daman and Diu and Lakshadweep |
30 |
|
30,
Areas/regions other than mentioned Above. |
||
|
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) |
<50
Metro Cities*, all State Capitals except in the State of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadar and Nagar Haveli Daman and Diu and Lakshadweep
|
100 |
|
<100
Areas/regions other than mentioned Above. |
||
|
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) |
- |
Varies from state to state |
|
Oil and Grease |
10 |
10 |
|
Total Coliforms |
<1000/100 ml |
2500/100 ml |
pH: The pH of treated sewage water should be between 6.5 and 9, as per the CPCB and between 6.5 and 8.5 for SPCBs.
BOD: High BOD levels indicate the presence of organic matter in the water, which can lead to oxygen depletion in aquatic systems.
TSS: The TSS level of treated sewage water should not exceed 100 mg/L, as per both the CPCB and SPCBs. High TSS levels can cause turbidity in the water, which can impact aquatic life.
TDS: The CPCB has not set a specific limit for TDS levels in treated sewage water, but the SPCBs have set varying limits depending on the state. High TDS levels can impact the taste and odour of water and can also lead to scaling in pipes and equipment.
Oil and Grease: The oil and grease level of treated sewage water should not exceed 10 mg/L, as per both the CPCB and SPCBs. High levels of oil and grease can have adverse effects on aquatic life and can also clog pipes and equipment.
Total Coliforms: The total coliform level of treated sewage water should not exceed 1000/100 ml, as per the CPCB and 2,500/100ml as per SPCBs. High coliform levels indicate the presence of pathogens in the water, which can lead to waterborne diseases.
Norms for Treated Effluent Water.
The CPCB and SPCBs have also set specific norms for the discharge of treated effluent water into inland surface water. The following table provides an overview of the CPCB and SPCB norms for treated effluent water:
|
Parameter |
CPCB norms for discharge of treated sewage into inland surface water (mg/L) |
SPCB norms for discharge of treated sewage into inland surface water (mg/L) |
|
pH |
6.5 - 9 |
6.5 - 8.5 |
|
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) |
20 (in some regions 30) |
30 |
|
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) |
<50 (in some regions <100) |
100 |
|
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) |
- |
Varies from state to state |
|
Oil and Grease |
10 |
10 |
|
Total Coliforms |
<1000/100 ml |
500/100 ml |
|
Nitrate as NO3 |
10 |
10 |
|
Phosphate as PO4 |
5 |
5 |
|
Heavy Metals |
Varies from state to state |
Varies from state to state |
pH, BOD, TSS, TDS, Oil and Grease, and Total Coliforms: The norms for these parameters for treated effluent water are the same as those for treated sewage water.
Nitrate as NO3: The nitrate level of treated effluent water should not exceed 10 mg/L, as per both the CPCB and SPCBs. High nitrate levels can lead to eutrophication, which can cause algal blooms and harm aquatic life.
Phosphate as PO4: The phosphate level of treated effluent water should not exceed 5 mg/L, as per both the CPCB and SPCBs. High phosphate levels can also lead to eutrophication.
Heavy Metals: The CPCB has not set a specific limit for heavy metals in treated effluent water, but the SPCBs have set varying limits depending on the state. Heavy metals can have toxic effects on aquatic life and can also bioaccumulate in the food chain, leading to human health risks.
Summary.
The new pollution control board norms for treated water sewage and effluent in India are aimed at ensuring that the discharge of treated water into inland surface water is of acceptable quality and does not harm the environment or public health. The norms set by the CPCB and SPCBs include parameters such as pH, BOD, TSS, TDS, oil and grease, total coliforms, nitrate, phosphate, and heavy metals. These norms are important to protect the environment and public health from the harmful effects of water pollution. It is essential for industries and local bodies to adhere to these norms and implement measures to treat wastewater effectively.
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