Foreword

Mindful of the key role played by SSI units and the constraints in complying with pollution control norms individually by these units, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Govt. of India initiated a technical and financial support scheme to promote common facilities for treatment of effluents generated from SSI units located in clusters. Under the Common Effluent Treatment Plant. (CET'P) financial assistance scheme, 50% subsidy on project capital cost -25% share each of Central and State Governments -was provided. As a. result, 88 CETPs having total capacity of 560 MLD have been set up throughout India covering more than 10000 polluting industries. Considering the coverage of industries under CETPs and the total pollution load handled by these CETPs, State Pollution Control Boards need to keep a close watch on their operation, More so because inspection of a 1arge number of CETPs by Central Pollution Control Board has revealed that, in general, the CETPs are not performing satisfactorily, largely due to improper operation and maintenance.

This report presents results of performance evaluation studies conduct Central Pollution Control Board and discusses several technical issues in rela satisfactory operation of CETPs. We hope the information contained in the report be useful to all concerned.