INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION CONTROL

Inspection of Industries

A comprehensive programme has been initiated for surprise inspection of 150 industries by CPCB. The objective of surprise inspection was, (i) keep a watch on the polluting industries to ensure regular operation of their pollution control facilities, and (ii) conduct indepth monitoring studies to see the improvements in the environmental quality as a result of the implementation of the various Central Action Programmes. Inspections of industries and areas were conducted and actions taken on the basis of the findings. The actions taken include (i) issuance of directions under Section 18 (1) (b) of the Water Act, 1974 and/or Air Act, 1981 to the SPCBs/PCCs requiring them to ensure implementation of the findings with respect to concerned industries/areas, and (ii) direct action under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 against the industries from CPCB itself.

A total of 122 industries have been inspected so far, directions (including 10 confirmed closures) were issued to 47 units under Section 5 of the E (P) Act, 1986 for ensuring pollution control. In addition to this 64 directions were issued to SPCBs/PCCs under Section 18 (1) (b) of the Water Act, 1974 and/or Air Act, 1981 requiring them to ensure pollution control in polluting industries, control of pollution in Chembur, Daman & Diu and Manali Areas.

Pollution Control in 17 Categories of Highly Polluting Industries

Action against the defaulters

The implementation of the action plan for pollution control in 1551 (which came into operation on or before December 31, 1991) medium and large scale units identified under the 17 highly polluting industrial sectors was continued. The follow-up of the action taken against the defaulting industries under Section 5 of the E (P) Act, 1986 was further intensified and as a result the number of defaulting industries has reduced to 22 in December 2002. 178 industries are closed and remaining 1351 have provided the requisite pollution control facilities.

Inventorisation of Post-91 Industries

The inventorisation of the large and medium industries of 17 categories which came into operation on or after January 01, 1992 completed. The information received from SPCBs/PCCs have been collated and compiled, and the complied information sent to SPCBs/PCCs for confirmation of the lists and obtaining the latest status of the action taken against the defaulters. A total of 604 industries have been identified, out of which 527 have provided the requisite pollution control facilities, 46 are closed and 31 are defaulting as on December 31, 2002.

 

Operational Status of 17 Categories of Industries

Directions under 18 (1) (b) of the Water and Air Acts issued to all the SPCBs/PCCs in July 2002, for providing the status reports on the adequacy and operational status of the pollution control facilities in the 17 categories of industries and the action taken against the defaulters, on a six monthly basis. The SPCBs/PCCs are expected to submit their respective first report for the period of July to December, 2002 by January 10, 2003.

Pollution Control in Problem Areas

Action Plans for Pollution Control in Problem Areas

Environmental Monitoring of the Problem Areas of Kala-Amb, Parwanoo, Govindgarh, North Arcot, and Najafgarh Drain Basin conducted by the concerned SPCBs/PCC for the assessment of the improvements due to the implementation of the action plans. Reports in respect of Kala-Amb and North Arcot have been received. Environmental Monitoring of Nagda Area also conducted by CPCB and the report is under preparation.

Pollution Control in Problem Area of Chembur and adjoining areas

Directions under section 18 (1) (b) issued to Maharashtra SPCB for pollution control in 09 industries in the Chembur and adjoining areas, in connection with the Petition No. 11 of the Parliament.

Industrial Pollution Control along the Rivers and Lakes

Industrial Pollution Control along the river Ganga (GAP Phase-I)

The follow-up programmes in respect of the 68 industries identified under Ganga Action Plan (GAP) Phase-I were initiated by CPCB soon after the introduction of GAP in 1985. All the 40 operating units have provided the requisite effluent treatment facilities and the remaining 28 are closed.

The industrial pollution control programme along the river Ganga got further intensified with the launching of the Central Action Plan in August, 1997, for control of industrial discharges along the rivers and lakes in the country. This programme resulted into identification of 119 more industries along the river Ganga which required priority attention for the control of their effluent discharges. All the operating 93 units have provided the requisite effluent treatment facilities and remaining 26 units are closed.

Industrial Pollution Control Along the Rivers and lakes

851 defaulting Grossly Polluting Industries located along the rivers and lakes in the country have been identified for priority actions under this programme which was started in August 1997. The follow-ups for the implementation of the programme, was intensified and this has resulted into reduction in the number of defaulting industries to 05 in September 2002. The matter in respect of 03 industries is subjudice in Court and action has been taken against the remaining 02 defaulters.

Summary Status of the 68 Industries identified under the Ganga Action Plan (Phase-I)
(As on December 31, 2002)

Operational Status of the ETPs installed by the industries located along the rivers & lakes

Directions under Section 18 (1) (b) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 have also been issued by CPCB to the SPCBs/PCCs to send quarterly reports on the operational status of ETPs of all the grossly polluting industries located along the rivers and lakes. The directions also required the SPCBs/PCC of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Delhi to send separate such reports of all the water polluting industries (irrespective of size and category) existing in Kanpur, Calcutta and Delhi respectively.

Pollution Control in Asbestos Industry

Human Risk Assessment in Asbestos Industry

The study includes environmental monitoring of asbestos-based industries, detailed medical examination of industrial workers, geno-toxicological evaluation of asbestos exposed population and recommendations for preventive measures in industrial units. First interim report has been prepared and second interim report is under preparation. Recently, asbestos milling units located in Beawar and nearby area have been studied including monitoring of asbestos fibre.

Environment Policy for Asbestos Sector

The Central Pollution Control Board has examined the environmental issues pertaining to asbestos and it has advised the government for policy decision based on the following considerations:

· There is overwhelming evidence that amphibole varieties in general and crocidolite in particular, are associated with mesotheliomas. As the production of amphiboles is discontinued worldwide, mining and milling of Amphibole variety of fibre should be discontinued. Chrysolite mining and milling should be allowed only when provided with adequate technologies for pollution control and occupational safety of workers as per respective codes laid down by Bureau of Indian Standards.

· The Ministry of Commerce may amend the export and import policy and categorise "Chrysolite Asbestos" under restricted item and may not be permitted for import except against a registration certificate under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 issued by the Ministry of Environment & Forests. The import of chrysolite asbestos should be allowed only to actual uses only in containers in palletised form.

· Friable products such as mill board, low density insulation material should be prohibited.

· A programme should be drawn for progressive substitution of asbestos textile with alternative materials.

· Under the Factories Act, the Ministry of Labour may be asked to bring down the work place standards for asbestos to 0.5 fibre/cc with immediate effect and 0.1 fibre/cc with effect from January 2004.

· Asbestos product manufacturers should be responsible for product stewardship in educating users for proper use and disposal as provided in the code of practice by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

· Environmental clearances for asbestos based products should be given only after verification of the controls instituted./proposed for safeguarding the health of workers and for control of pollution and environmental safeguards. The following conditions should be imposed while granting environmental clearance.

» Dust suppression and collection system should ensure that asbestos fibre concentration in work place is less than 0.5 fibre/cc.

»  Efficient dust collection system should comply with the prescribed emission standards.

»  Automatic bag opening and disposal of asbestos sacking material is to be ensured.

»  Asbestos waste generated should be reused in the process to the possible extent.

»  Disposal facilities for asbestos waste should be in accordance with the Bureau of Indian Standards code.

»  A competent occupational health physician should carry out medical surveillance.

Revision of Emission Standards for Asbestos based Industries

Pollutant	Proposed Emission Limit
Pure Asbestos Material	0.5 fibre*/cc
Total Dust	2 mg/Nm3

* Fibres of length more than 5 µm and diametre less than 3 µm with an aspect ratio of 3 or more.

1. Emission Standards notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for DG sets and Boilers shall be applicable, in case     asbestos industry owns it.
2. General Emission Standards notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 shall be applicable for processes from     where there is no possibility of asbestos fibre emission such as cement silo, flyash silo.

The emission standards for asbestos based industries of 4 fibre/cc for pure asbestos material and 2 mg/Nm3 for total dust, were notified in the year 1989. After discussions with industries, experts and Asbestos Information Centre, following revised emission standards have been suggested.

Pollution Control In Cement Industry

Assessment of Utilisation of Industrial Solid Waste in Cement Manufacturing

Many industries generate solid waste during the process of manufacturing. The blast furnace slag, red mud, metallurgical slag, lime mud and phosphogypsum are generated from integrated iron and steel plants, aluminium industry, metal industry, pulp & paper and phosphoric acid manufacturing respectively. The huge amount of solid waste requires large area of land for their disposal. This makes a large tract of land unsuitable for any use and also a number of environmental problems, like contamination of groundwater, surface water pollution and air pollution arise.

The cement industry has the scope to utilise these solid waste as raw material or blending material to produce varieties of cement. CPCB initiated a study on "Assessment of utilisation of industrial solid waste in cement manufacturing" in collaboration with National Council for Cement and Building Materials, New Delhi.

National Task Force for Implementation of Environmental Standards in Cement Industry

A National Task Force (NTF) for the implementation of environmental standards in cement industries under the chairmanship of Shri Paritosh C. Tyagi has been constituted. NTF comprises of member from cement manufacturers Association, organisations related to cement technology, air pollution control equipment manufacturers association, State Pollution Control Boards and other concerned organisations. Major points discussed during NTF meetings are as follows:

» Fugitive emission is quite high in cement industries and require immediate attention for its control.

» Pet coke containing about 7.5% sulphur is being used as fuel in cement kiln in few industries. The SO2 emission from these    plants may be quite high apart from vanadium and nickel emission. It is necessary to frame fuel quality specifications for the    cement industries.

» In India, emission standards for particulate matter is quite relaxed as compared to many developed countries. Need is being felt    to revise the emission standards.

»  Cement industries have potential to utilise industrial wastes like flyash, blast furnace slag, phosphogypsum. But the present      utilisation is low and needs to be enhanced.

»  In many cement plants, multicyclone is installed in clinker cooler section and emission level is higher than the prescribed norms.     These multicyclones have to be replaced by efficient air pollution control devices like ESP in a time bound manner.

»  In Indian cement industries, 40% of total heat output is going as waste heat, which should be utilised for co-generation of      power. This is already being practiced in Japan, China and South East Asian countries.

»  Continuous dust monitoring system with data logger should be installed by all the cement industries and calibration should be     done with time to time.

»  The need of identifying incinerable hazardous waste for use as fuel in cement kiln was stresses.

Pollution Control in Thermal Power Plants

Implementation of standards in thermal power plants

There are 83 coal based thermal power plants in the country, of which 4 plants are closed.

» 48 plants comply with emission standards

»  52 plants comply with effluent standards

The thermal power plants which do not comply with standards have been asked to install/augment pollution control systems in time bound manner.

Use of beneficiated coal

The Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India has promulgated Gazette Notification (GSR 560(E) & 378(E), dated September 19, 1997 and June 30, 1998 respectively) on use of beneficiated/blended coal containing ash not more than 34 percent w.e.f. June 2001(extended to June 2002) 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 Fluidized Bed Combustion (CFBC, PFBC & AFBC) and IGCC combustion technologies are exempted to use beneficiated coal irrespective of their locations.

Measures to comply with notification on use of beneficiated coal

Short Term Measure: To meet the deadline i.e. June 01, 2002 for the use of beneficiated coal, a matrix has been worked out by CIL to supply coal to the power plants to meet the requirements of the stipulation as short-term measure on annual average basis. As per the matrix, coal to be supplied to the plants be blended at the plant site. The power plants have to sign a Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA) prior to supply of coal as per matrix. Power plants are still in process of signing FSA's.

If blending is to be done even as short-term measure to comply with the stipulation of 34% ash, this should be done judiciously. Selection of coals, their optimum blending proportion and prediction of impact of blend on power plant performance need to be assessed from initial investigation on the combustion characteristics of bendable and blended coals.

Long Term Measure: Regarding setting up of coal washeries as long term measure to meet the requirement of 34% ash, Ministry of Coal suggested following feasibility to find the options/ mechanism for setting up of coal washeries for non coking coals;

Coal India will set up its own washery - This has not been feasible due to severe resource crunch. The earlier experience of CIL for setting up its own washeries has not been encouraging, as the huge investments made were not justified by the poor capacity utilization.

SEBs to set up its own washery - This is also not feasible on account of severe resource crunch.

Coal India to ask private entrepreneurs to set up washeries for CIL and taking washing charges - Even though LOI was issued against a global tender floated in 1995-96, none of the washeries in MCL & SECL have taken off, as utilities are not prepared to accept washing charges as finalized by CIL through tendering. CIL has been put to very embarrassing situation vis a vis the tenders, who are now threatening legal actions.

State Electricity Board to select a private entrepreneur to set up a washery near pit- head - Recently, a trend has been noticed where the State Electricity Boards have been asking private parties to invest in putting up a washery at pit head and deliver washed coal to them. PSEB, APGENCO, KPCL and TNEB are reported to have taken such initiatives.

In view of the constraints mentioned by CIL, SEBs are putting up their own washeries, participation of private entreprenuers appears to be the viable option.

Beneficiated/blended coal is being supplied to 17 thermal power plants such as Dadri (U.P.), and Badarpur (Delhi) Power Plants of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Dahanu ( Maharashtra), of Bombay Suburban Electricity Supply ( BSES) and Rajghat & Indraprastha (Delhi ) Power Plants of Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB), Kota, RVUNL;Sikka, GSEB; AEC; Faridabad, HPGC, . However, other 22 plants have not yet indicated their plan for meeting the requirement of use of beneficiated coal.

Utilization of flyash

During the year 2001-02, nearly 23 percent of total flyash generation (88 million tonnes) in the country was utilised mainly for manufacturing cement, bricks and construction of roads and embankments. However, in countries like Germany, China, USA, EU and Japan, the utilisation of flyash is 100,42,65,80 and 85 % respectively.

In order to make mandatory use of flyash and flyash based products by the brick kilns, Thermal Power Stations and CPWD& State PWDs, vide notification no. S.O. 763(E) dated September 14, 1999, Ministry of Environment & Forests has issued directions under sub-rule 3 of rule 5 of EPA, 1986 that

a. No person, located within 50 km radius of any Thermal Power Station, shall to manufacture clay bricks, tiles or blocks without mixing atleat 25% flyash or pond ash with soil.

b. Thermal Power Plants shall submit action plan for hundred percent utilisation.

New Plants	Existing Plants
30% within three yr	20% within three yrs
100% within 9 yrs	100% within 15 yrs

The respective State Pollution Control Boards of Orissa, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Tamilnadu and Gujarat have identified the brick kilns located within 50 km radius of thermal power plants but flyash utilisation (25%) by these kilns is yet to be initiated as per notification.

Out of 83 TPPs, 70 power plants have submitted their action plan to achieve hundred per cent flyash utilization within stipulated time period.

Ministry of Environment & Forests has issued the following amendments in the notification on utilisation of flyash

1. No person shall within a radius of 100 kms from thermal power plants, manufacture clay bricks, tiles or blocks without mixing atleast 25% of flyash or pond ash with soil.

2. Construction Agency including private sector builders shall use minimum of following percentage of ash based products such as: bricks, block & tiles in their construction work:

25% by 31st March, 2003

50% by 31st December, 2003

75% by 31st December, 2004

100% by 31st December, 2005

3. Authority sanctioning or renewing mining lease shall not grant or extend the lease if the manufacturer does not use the 25% of the Flyash in the manufacturing of bricks, blocks and tiles.

4. Utilisation of Flyash for reclamation of sea subject to compliance of the rules made under the EPA, 1986.

Adoption of Medium Concentration Ash Slurry Disposal System

The study on evaluation on alternate coal ash disposal technologies was completed. Various methods of ash disposal such as, Medium concentration, High concentration and dry ash disposal in mound form were evaluated considering their technical feasibility, water, land and energy requirements including cost-benefit in comparison to conventional lean phase ash disposal system. Findings of the study suggest that Medium Concentration Ash Slurry Disposal (MCSD) having ash concentration 35 to 45% is not only more economical but also require less water, land and energy for disposal of ash. Thus adoption of MCSD will also lead to reduction in environmental pollution. The CPCB has approved the adoption of MCSD system in new/expansion power projects and recommendations in this regard have been communicated to the Ministry of Environment & Forests for implementation while granting environmental clearance.

Leachability assessment of trace heavy metals from ash ponds to groundwater

The study on leachability assessment of trace heavy metals from ash ponds to groundwater has been undertaken in association with IIT Kanpur. Field investigations have been completed under the study. The findings will suggest extent of leaching of trace metals from ash ponds and its impact on groundwater. Under this study, the guidelines for prevention and control of leaching of trace metals and better ash pond management practices will be prepared.

Cost benefit analysis including environmental benefits of recycling of ash pond effluents in thermal power plants

The study on cost benefit analysis including environmental benefits of recycling of ash pond effluents in thermal power plants is being conducted in association with IIT Kanpur. The findings of the study will suggest feasibility of recycling of ash pond effluent and its benefits such as in water conservation. Guidelines for better ash pond water recycling system will also be prepared.

Assessment of mercury, lead, arsenic and fluoride emissions from coal based thermal power plants

This study will cover the identification of coal linkages of various coal fired thermal power plants, coal qualities and development of guidelines/emission standards for control of toxic trace elements from coal fired power plants. The study is being conducted by Pollution Control Research Institute, Haridwar.

Status of Pollution Control In Thermal Power Plants in Uttar Pradesh

There are 12 thermal power plants in Uttar Pradesh., out of which 10 are Coal based and 2 are gas based. CPCB has undertaken a study to assess the status of pollution control in Thermal power plants of UP with following objectives:

· Compilation of detailed information of Thermal Power Plants of UP

· Performance evaluation of air pollution control system installed

· Assessment of ash management with specific reference to Ash Utilization

· Preparation of comprehensive Environment Management Plan and Action Plan

Detailed study of the four Thermal Power Plants has been conducted so far. The study indicated that Thermal Power Plants have installed Electrostatic Precipitators for control of fly ash from flue gases emanating from boiler. ESP outlet duct at each power plant was monitored with a view to assess the efficacy of the ESPs.

It is clear from the result that efficiency of ESPs is not up to the mark except in Renusagar Plant. Problem lies with proper maintenance of ESPs and high ash content in coal. Thermal power plants are using coal having ash content in the range of 35-45% while their ESPs are designed for 30-35 % ash content in coal. It was also observed that improper evacuation of ash from ESP hopper affects the ESP efficiency. Power Plants have adopted wet disposal system for bottom ash as well as fly ash from ESP hopper. Despite notification , ash utilization was observed very low in all plants.

Fugitive dust emission from coal handling plant, coal crusher and boiler section are other problems in thermal power plants. Although Plants have made arrangement of water sprinkling system on coal yard, conveyer belt and dust extraction system in coal crusher, still emissions are quite high.

 

SN	Thermal Power Plant	Unit No	Capacity/Load (MW)	Concentration of particulate matter in Flue gas(Mg/Nm3)
1	Panki Thermal , Kanpur	Unit III Unit IV	110/71 110/85	3087 1865
2	NTPC, Unchahar	Unit I Unit II Unit III Unit IV	220/170 220/195 220/185 220/172	225 239 320 136
3	Renusagar Thermal Power Plant	Unit II Unit IV Unit VI Unit VII Unit VIII Unit IX	67.5/68 67.5/60 74/67.5 67.5/74.8 67.5/74 75/77	316 135 123 118 118 128
4	Anpara Thermal Power Plant	Unit I Unit II Unit III Unit IV Unit V	220/180 220/180 220/160 500/500 500/500	1008 366 883 604 522

 

 

 

Thermal Power Plants require huge amount of water for condenser cooling. Hot water is being discharged to the water body from all plants may cause thermal pollution and affect the aquatic life.

Ash pond of Panki Thermal Power plant, Kanpur has been filled up completely and ash pond overflow is carrying excessive ash, to out side drain which in turn meets with river Pandu. Stack emissions in terms of particulate matter were observed more than the stipulated norms.
Anpara Thermal Power plant was observed discharging its ash slurry directly to the Rihand Reservoir and huge ash deposits are visible, where ash slurry is being discharged. Its new ash pond could not be commissioned so far. Plat has commissioned dry ash collection facility (250 t /day) against total generation of 10,000 tpd ash water conservation is poor in the plant.

Unchahar Thermal power plant is located amid agricultural fields and villages. Despite of all efforts to control fugitive dust from coal handling plant and boiler section, fine coal and ash dust is always a problem for the nearby villagers. Ash pond has been built on sandy bed near river Ganga, where possibility of ash pond seepage exists.

Construction of New ash pond of Renu Sagar Thermal Power plant is in progress. Existing ash pond is on the hilltop having area of about 28 hectares, which has been filled up. Ash pond is continuously being evacuated in order to make the extra space for accumulation of fresh ash slurry in parts and ash is being sent to new ash pond through trucks. This is creating dusty environment in the area although industry is making all possible efforts to suppress the dust from ash pond through sprinkling of water. All treated effluent and ash pond overflow is being used in the plant after treatment in order to conserve the water.

Performance Evaluation of Treatment Plants

Performance Evaluation of Dairy Units of West Bengal

With increase in demand for milk & milk products, many dairies of different size scale have came up in various parts. Large quantity of waste water originates due to their different operations and primarily from the washings of different vats & equipment. The wastewater is highly biodegradable and if directly discharged to aquatic streams, the pollution problem may arise.

In view of the above, a project was undertaken to assess the present scenario of Dairy industries in West Bengal especially with reference to their Effluent Treatment Systems. Eight units as below were selected. Two units of NDDB, five of West Bengal Milk Federation and one in Private Sector.

1) Mother Dairy
2) Metro Dairy
3) State Dairy, Haringhata
4) State Dairy, Belgachia
5) State Dairy, Durgapur
6) State Dairy, Burdwan
7) Sate Dairy, Krishna nagar
8) Thacker Dairy Products Pvt. Ltd.

The ETP System of Mother Dairy and Metro Dairy is based on Activated Sludge Process where as Thacker Dairy is having only Chemical Oxidation by floating submercible aeration. The State Dairy Belgachia and Haringhata though very old, are not having any ETP and still in planning and construction stage. The other three State Dairies are having Oxidation Ditch.

As the technology of milk processing has become more advanced and wastage or spoilage of milk is practically negligible, the present pollution load effluent is not significant considering the limit of discharge BOD of 100 mg/l and total suspended solid of 150 mg/l.

Performance Evaluation of Wastewater Treatment Plants

Performance evaluation of 14 wastewater treatment systems working on different technologies (diffused aeration, surface aeration and rotating biological contactors), treating industrial waste as well as domestic waste was carried out. The efficiency and energy requirement of each system was evaluated. The treatment systems of various categories of industries - pharmaceuticals, silk, garment washing and stitching, information technology, milk processing, hotel, engineering and brewery was studied in addition to domestic sewage treatment plants.

Surface aeration (SA) is used in old plants as well as in common effluent treatment plants (CETPs), where high quantity of effluent is to be treated. Diffused aeration (DA) has been used in comparatively newer plants for both domestic and industrial wastes and it seems to be most common and popular technology. The rotating biological contactors (RBC) was limited in various plants, designed to treat sewage up to a capacity of 100 MLD.

The BOD removal efficiency of ETPs with SA technology varied between 79 to 97%. DA technology is adapted for treatment of domestic and industrial wastes and show satisfactory results with respect to BOD removal. Although, treatment plants with RBC technology at two different industries showed satisfactory results, yet these plants requires skilled operation and supervision.

The RBC technology has the advantage of low power consumption over other technologies. Diffused aeration, though one of the most effective means of biological treatment has disadvantage of high power consumption.

From the study, it was concluded that surface aeration technology is economically viable for larger plants, and its operation and maintenance cost is higher. Diffused aeration has higher efficiency, but requires less energy than surface aeration. The rotating biological contactor technology is economical and suitable for smaller plants. It has unique advantage of occupying lesser area in addition to low power consumption. RBC plants have higher initial investments but maintenance cost is much lower. Augmentation of diffused aeration with anaerobic lagoon has shown appreciable results.

Evaluation of Performance and Management practices of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs)

To address the issues associated with performance and management practices in CETPs, a comprehensive project is being executed. In this project, detailed studies of three CETPs viz. Unnao, Kanpur (both in U.P.) and Jullandhar (Punjab) are to be undertaken. The study for CETP at Unnao and Kanpur has been conducted.

Unnao CETP

The CETP is designed to cater for 21 units engaged in tanning and allied jobs. During the study 13 units were found operational while 8 units were defunct. The plant received 80 KLD average flow. With regard to designed efficiency, the plant has shown 98 to 99 % compliance in terms of designated parameters which includes BOD, COD, SS and chromium. The performance has been good, in spite of excessively high content of chromium and BOD in the raw (inlet) wastewater received at CETP. The high content of chromium is a clear indication of poor operation of chrome recovery plants at various member units.

Kanpur (Jajmau) CETP

The CETP caters to 354 units. Out of these, 6 units are of large scale, 10 medium and remaining 338 are small scale units. All these units are engaged in tanning and allied operations. While 41 units are under closure, 210 units perform chrome tanning, 49 vegetable tanning and 52 are engaged in leather splitting / board jobs. During the study the plant was found operational and had received approximately 33.6 MLD combined wastewater wherein, the tannery wastewater and sewage were blended in proportion of 1: 1.47 as against the designed ratio of 1:3 respectively. This is indicative of excessively higher contribution of tannery wastewater which is very likely harmful for the plant's performance due to significantly modified characteristics of the combined wastewater fed to the UASB reactors.

As regards designated efficiency, status of compliance, that only SS has shown an overall reduction more than the designed capacity while all other designated parameters viz. BOD, COD and (total) chromium have shown lesser than the designed reduction. A notable observation during the study has been high concentration of chromium in the combined tannery wastewater received at CETP which is very likely affect the performance of the plant. The most probable reason for high chromium content is poor operation of pre-treatment units in the member tanneries.