Central Pollution Control Board studied performance of 78 CETPs operating throughout the country. It is observed that of the total 78 CETPs studied, only 20 complied with the prescribed limits for general parameters pH, BOD, COD and TSS but 15 of these were not able to comply with the prescribed limit for TDS. Thus, only 5 (i.e. 6.4%) CETPs were complying all general parameters including TDS. In general, the performance of CETPs has been found very unsatisfactory, largely because of poor operation and maintenance. Therefore, the State Pollution Control Boards have been advised to conduct regular monitoring of CETPs, persuade the operating agencies for proper operation and maintenance and initiate actions against negligent agencies & willful defaulters.

High TDS in treated effluent is observed a widespread problem as, in all, 69 (i.e. 88.5%) out of the 78 CETPs did not complied with TDS standards. Reduction in release of TDS contributing chemicals from problem industries by adopting cleaner production technologies and recovery and recycling of chemicals from the waste streams is the most important action required to tackle this problem. State Boards may consider prescribing location specific regulations for the control of TDS at the industry level.

There are 28 recognised industrial estates in Delhi. In order to mitigate the environmental hazards due to discharge of untreated effluents, the Hon’ble Supreme Court directed Delhi Govt. to install common effluent treatment plants (CETPs). The Delhi Government entrusted the work to Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) who contracted with National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) in 1996 for the design of CETPs for the industrial estates. NEERI proposed 15 CETPs, their designs and locations, some of them receiving wastewater from more than one industrial estate. Construction of 10 CETPs as below has been completed. However, there had been an inordinate delay in the construction of the CETPs, the collection system and the operationalisation of the plants. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) surveyed and monitored the CETPs in Delhi during July-November 2004 with following objectives:

Incomplete and inadequate collection system was observed as major hurdle in operationalisation of the CETPs. The reason for less flow reaching the CETP sites included silted or choked collection system, untapped industrial discharges and incomplete components of the conveyance system.

Consequent to the observations at CETPs of Delhi, Central Pollution Control Board convened meetings of all concerned departments and representatives of each CETP society to discuss the finding of the study. Consequent to these studies and the continuous review of the matter by CPCB and the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA), four CETPs were handed over to the concerned CETP societies during year 2005.

A comprehensive performance evaluation of ten CETPs installed in Delhi was undertaken between June 27 to July 6, 2005 and August 25 to 28, 2005 to assess their capability for effective treatment at full capacity. NEERI undertook study to optimise the chemical doses before operation for performance evaluation and stage-wise performance of treatment was determined.

The CETPs based on physico-chemical treatment were studied at the full design surface loading rates of tube settlers, DMF and ACF beds but for 9 hours only. The Mangolpuri CETP, which employs biological process, was evaluated at half the design flow, which is the present flow. The plant is being operated at this flow on a continuous basis. Samples were collected at four points i.e. after equalization, tube settler, DMF and ACF. The composite samples of effluent after equalization and final treated effluent, prepared on equal volume basis, were analysed for various parameters such as pH, BOD, COD, TSS and TDS.

GT Karnal Road, Mayapuri, Badli and Okhla CETPs were found meeting the notified standards. Mangolpuri, SMA, Jhilmil, Nangaloi and Wazirpur CETPs were not found complying in terms of TDS. Lawrence Road CETP was not complying in terms of BOD and SS. Lawrence Road CETPs was not able to meet the standards in terms of BOD due to high level of organic matter in the influent.

CETPs at Balotra, Jasol and Jodhpur:

Performance studies of CETPs at Balotra, Jasol and Jodhpur have indicated following effluent characteristics:

RIICO has constructed combined effluent treatment plant of 6 MLD capacity and comprising of oil & grease traps, flow measuring device, aeration tank, clarifier, sludge thickener, filter press for dewatering of sludge and treated effluent tank. The CETP has been commissioned and operated by private operators and receiving around 30% of industrial waste and 70% of domestic waste. Most of the industries have provided effluent treatment facilities and discharging partially treated effluent to the CETP. Performance study was conducted and the observations are as below:

• The total flow for 24 hours during the study period was around 7.13 MLD. The flow was less during night hours indicating lesser domestic activities.
• The RSPCB has not renewed the consents, as RIICO has not made any proper disposal arrangements like HRTS, which earlier was one of the consent conditions.
• The treated effluent from the CETP is disposed in the nullah, which finally joins River Sabi near Dharukhera in Haryana State and is utilized by farmers.
• RIICO authorities are not operating DG sets for the operation of effluent treatment during power failures. The DG sets are used only to pump the effluent to nullah near Metilla village, which finally joins River Sabi in Haryana State.
• The filter presses are not operated continuously. The sludge generated is removed manually and stored in LDPE bags. Proper storage and disposal arrangements are not made by the authorities.

There are 18 CETPs in Gujarat and 12 CETPs in Maharashtra, located in various industrial estates. The monitoring has been conducted for CETPs at Vapi, Ankeleswar and Nandesari in Gujarat and CETP at Tarapur in Maharashtra. CETPs’ effluent characteristics were not complying with the standards, however, CETP at Ankleshwar was able to comply because of heavy dilution (in preparation of treatment-chemical solutions).

Manufacturing of Iron and Steel involves a large number of processing steps which consume 4-5 tonne of input materials and 10-25 m³ of water for every one tonne of steel produced. Besides the generation of air pollution, 5-20 m³ of wastewater and 2 to 3 tonne of solid waste is generated for production of one tonne of steel.

Central Pollution Control Board has constituted a National Task Force (NTF), for the implementation of notified environmental standards, and to evolve a time bound program for the same. Representatives from steel industry were also nominated as members of the NTF besides representatives from Ministry of Steel, Ministry of Environment & Forests, CPCB and concerned State Boards. Meetings of the National Task Force on Steel Industry have been held periodically to discuss the implementation of Environmental Standards in Steel industry specifically the implementation of standards in coke oven plants. The following major achievements have been made in the field of environmental management and pollution control in the Integrated Iron & Steel Industries:

• About 98% stacks are complying with emission standards.
• Ambient Air Quality is within the statutory norms. Discharge effluent quality for the plants / units are generally within norm, except cyanide in the BOD plant.
• 62.5% of the solid waste generated in steel plants are being utilized either through recycling / reuse or commercial disposal.
• Tree plantation has been carried out in and around the Steel Plants with a target of a tree for every one tonne production of Steel per annum. Massive forestation in and around the steel plant can be seen now.

Industrial development is an important constituent in our pursuits for economic growth, employment generation and betterment in the quality of life. On the other hand, industrial activities, without proper precautionary measures for environmental protection are liable to cause pollution and associated problems. Hence, it is necessary that regulatory norms are complied for prevention and control of pollution. The adoption of clean technologies and improvement in management practices, commitment and voluntary initiatives of industry for responsible care of the environment are also important to sustain responsibilities of industrial sector towards environment for pollution control.

With this in view, industry-specific interaction meeting was organized at Kolkata to formulate the Charter on Corporate Responsibility for Environmental Protection (CREP) for Integrated Iron & Steel Industries. A series of interaction with the industry have been made and the CREP has been finalized which has been agreed by Steel sector. In the CREP the issues have been identified and action points along with time targets have been finalized for implementation by the steel sector.

National Task Force for Pollution Control in Aluminium industry constituted by MoEF includes implementation of recommendations of Charter on Corporate Responsibility for Environmental Protection (CREP). The meetings of the National Task Force for aluminium industry have been held from time to time. The major decisions taken for control of pollution from aluminium industry are:

• National Task Force agreed that maximum capacity that can be permitted at one location can be fixed as 3,50,000 tonnes per annum to avoid damage to the environment.
• Forage fluoride is the best indicator for assessing the damage from the aluminium plant. The Orissa State Pollution Control Board shall undertake a damage assessment study in Talcher region.
• Forage fluoride Measurement Method was finalized for using uniform method of measurement of forage.
• The consumption of fluoride per tonne of aluminium is very high. This is to be brought down to the global level by taking effective measures as practiced internationally.

There are 83 coal based thermal power plants of which 5 plants are closed. 56 thermal power plants comply with emission standards & 22 plants are yet to comply with the emission standards. 63 thermal power plants comply with effluent standards and 15 plants are yet to comply with the effluent standards.

Task Force (TF) for implementation of recommendations of the Charter on Corporate Responsbility for Environment Protection in thermal power plants was constituted. TF reviewed the status of non compliant power plants and decided that these plants shall prepare an action plan for installation/augmention of pollution control systems in time bound manner as per recommendation of CREP.

The Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India has promulgated two Gazette Notification-(GSR 560(E) dated September 19, 1997 and 378(E) June 30, 1998) on use of beneficiated/blended coal containing ash not more than 34 percent( an.av.) w.e.f. June 2001(extended to June 2002 vide notification no GSR 407 (E) dated May 31^st, 2001) in the following power plants:

• Power plants located beyond 1000 kms. from pit head;
• Power plants located in critically polluted areas, urban areas and in ecologically sensitive areas.

The power plants using FBC (CFBC, PFBC & AFBC) and IGCC combustion technologies are exempted to use beneficiated coal irrespective of their locations

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has estimated the requirement of beneficiated/ blended coal for 39 existing and proposed thermal power plants as 85.46 million tonnes per annum. Out of which, the Coal India Ltd. would be able to meet the requirement of 68.48 million tonnes per annum coal from (from existing washeries and blending of domestic coals). The remaining quantity could be met by blending imported and domestic coal at coastal thermal power plants and changing the linkages suitably. Beneficiated/blended coal having ash content 34% or less was used by 29 thermal power plants during 2004-05. These plant utilised 17.2 million tonnes of washed / blended coal and 3.6 million tonnes imported coal for meeting the requirement of 34 % ash content in coal.

During the year 2004-05, CIL and SCCL supplied 258 million tonnes of coal to thermal power plants in the country. Presently, total capacity of non-coking coal washing in the country is 70.35 million tones per annum. Of which Coal India has capacity of 20.2 million tonnes per annum with seven operating washeries and private operators have capacity of 50.15 million tonnes per annum.

There are 108 thermal power plants including 78 operational coal based power plants. During 2004-05, 258 million tonnes of coal and 21.5 million tonnes of lignite were consumed by these power plants. About 110 million tonnes of ash was generated, of which 37 percent was utilised. Out of 78 thermal power plants of utilities, 35 could met the target as per action plan and 45 plants could not meet the target because of their location, non availability of dry storage facility and lack of specifications with SPWDs, Highway authority and other related agencies.

Follow-up action continued through Task Forces for implementation of action points under CREP for chlor-alkali and fertilizer sector industries. Industries under both the sectors complied most of the action points, except for same chlor-alkali units regarding total release of mercury at 2.0 gm/tonne of product and mercury consumption at 50 gm/tonne of product. Regarding action plan for conversion of mercury cell to membrane cell process, industries have agreed to switchover to membrane cell technology.

CREP for pulp & paper industries was formulated with the major thrust to control the pollution at source by implementing cleaner technologies i.e RDH pulping/ continuous pulping, chlorine di-oxide bleaching. Oxygen de-lignification etc. Water conservation and solid waste management were also considered. The achievements of time targeted action points are as under:

Large Pulp & paper industries are generally implementing CREP action points as per schedule and complying with the targets fixed.

Major problem in the small-scale agro-based paper mill is related to discharge of highly polluting stream of black liquor without recovery of chemicals. Its discharge contributes to high level of BOD, COD and colour to the water bodies. Therefore major thrust has been given to this category of pulp & paper industries. Industries have to utilize black liquor by installation of Chemical Recovery Plant or have to shift to waste paper for compliance of standards.

A number of agro-based paper mills are installing chemical recovery plant (CRP) while other units have opted to shift to waste paper. SPCBs/PCCs have been directed to allow only those agro-based paper industries to operate on agro-based raw material which have placed order for CRP or other viable option for utilization of black liquor.

CREP for distilleries was formulated to achieve zero discharge of spent wash for distilleries into surface water by December 31, 2005. Action plan from 231 distilleries have been received and same was scrutinized to verify their treatment facilities to achieve zero discharge into surface water. It was found that out of 231 distilleries, 82 distilleries are having full fledged facilities to achieve zero discharge, 14 distilleries are having treatment facilities to utilize 75% of their generated spent wash and 15 distilleries are having treatment facilities to utilise 50% of their generated spent wash.

CREP for sugar mills was formulated to reduce wastewater generation @ 100 litre / ton of cane crushed and to comply with standards for particulate matter emission to < 150 mg/ Nm3. Action plan from 81 sugar mills have been received, 21 sugar mills are achieving wastewater generation @ <100 litre /tonne, 33 sugar mills are complying with standards for particulate matter emission to < 150 mg/NNm3.

The Task Forces for implementation of the CREP recommendations for cement industry and asbestos based industries have been constituted under the Chairmanship of Shri Paritosh C. Tyagi Ex Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board. The meetings of the Task Force were convened and various issues were discussed.

Corporate Responsibility For Environmental Protection In Tannery Sector

The Charter on Corporate Responsibility for Environmental Protection (CREP) for tennries sector enlisted various action point to be complied by tanneries. The achievements under various action points are as below.

• Kolkata (West Bengal): 109 units joined together for establishing three modules of Common Chrome Recovery Plants (CCRPs) of 120 m³/day each in the Calcutta Leather Complex with the financial support from MoEF. Two modules have already been constructed. Besides the above, four mobile CRPs (each of 10 m³ / day capacity) and two fixed CRPs (each of capacity 2.5 m³/shift of 8 hours) are also available in the complex. The remaining units have been proposing to provide individual CRPs.

• Kanpur (UP): Out of 189 chrome tanneries, CRPs have been established at 106 units. The remaining 83 small tanneries doing chrome-tanning process have been included under "Common Chrome Recovery Plant" (CCRP) project. A feasibility report was prepared for the installation of CCRP of 70 KLD capacity, at Jajmau, Kanpur. NRCD has agreed to share 70% of the total cost (105.27 lakh). Kanpur Nagar Nigam and 83 tanneries’ (<50h/d) group shall share 15% each. The first installment of Rs 25 lakh for the establishment of CCRP has been released while Kanpur Nagar Nigam has collected Rs 12.39 lakh from the participating tanneries. The site development and the foundation works have been started.

• Unnao (U.P.): All the 7 chrome tanneries are having individual chrome recovery systems. In the new Complex at Banthar (Distt Unnao), it is mandatory for chrome tanneries to provide chrome recovery units before commissioning.

• Jalandhar (Punjab): All the 39 chrome tanneries have established CRPs on individual basis.

Most of the large and medium tanneries have installed water meters. All the units in Tamilnadu and almost 60 % units in the country have installed wastewater flow meters. In view of expensive flow meters, the tanneries may start with the installation of V-notch as the simplest device to measure flow. Water consumption has already been achieved below the prescribed level in most of the units in Tamil Nadu. All the member tanneries of Unnao CETP are currently consuming water at the rate of 30 m³/tonne. In other places such as Jalandhar, Kanpur the water consumption will be reduced and brought to the prescribed level through water conservation methods.

The tanneries located at Tamil Nadu, U.P. and Jalandhar adopted various measures for manual/ mechanical desalting of raw hides/ skins. The zero liquid discharge (ZLD) mode of functioning, in the tanneries located in Tamilnadu, demands the implementation of membrane-based technologies and safe disposal of reject streams from membrane stacks. 18 units have either already installed or are in the process of installing reverse osmosis systems for the management of TDS.

Shavings/trimmings is utilized for manufacturing leather board. Fleshings are utilized for manufacturing glue. A demonstration plant has been established for utilizing sludge for bio-energy generation in Melvisharam.

Most of the tanneries are not using boron salts, except a few units. Central Leather Research Institute advised suitable alternative for boron salts.

14 distilleries have been issued notices for the proposed directions under section 5 of The Environment (Protection) Act 1986, 10 distilleries have been issued direction under section 5 to restrict their capacity equivalent to treatment facility available with the distilleries. One distillery was closed since it was grossly violating the prescribed standards. Direction to State Boards were issued under section 18(1)(b) of the water Act 1974 to initiate action against three defaulter distilleries for taking action.

Notices for the proposed directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 were issued to eleven pulp & paper industries.

15 numbers of industries were visited under ESS programme while 7 units were visited jointly with the officials of MoEF for verification of the compliance of post-project environmental management conditions prescribed under Environmental Clearance issued by MoEF. During the visit, the source emissions, ambient air quality and wastewater monitoring have been undertaken.

25 numbers of industries were visited under ESS programme while 4 units were visited jointly with the officials of MoEF for verification of the compliance of post-project environmental management conditions prescribed under Environmental Clearance issued by MoEF. The implementation of action points of charters under CREP program for various categories of industries like Caustic-soda, Distilleries, Pesticides, Dyestuff, Bulk Drug, etc. were also studied. Caustic-soda units were visited for the status of pollution control and mercury management.