Brief Notes on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution Act of 1974

It provides for maintaining and restoring the wholesomeness of water by preventing and controlling its pollution.

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Pollution is defined as such contamination of water, or such alteration of the physical, chemical or biological properties of water, or such discharge as is likely to cause a nuisance or render the water harmful or injurious to public health and safety or harmful for any other use or to aquatic plants and other organisms or animal life.

The salient features of the Act are summed up as follows:

(i) It provides for maintenance and restoration of quality of all types of surfaces and ground water.

(ii) It provides for the provision of Central and State Boards for pollution control.

(iii) It confers them with the powers and function to control pollution.

The Central and State Pollution Control Boards are widely represented and are given comprehensive powers to advise, coordinate and provide technical assistance for prevention and control of pollution of water.

(iv) The Act has provisions for funds, budgets accounts and audit of the Central and State Pollution Control Boards.

(v) The Act makes provisions for various penalties for the defaulters and procedure for the same.

The main regulatory bodies are the Pollution Control Boards, which have been, conferred the following duties and powers.