EnvironmentAct No. 6 of 1974In Force

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

Establishes the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and empowers them to prevent and control water pollution. Industries must obtain consent from SPCBs before establishing or operating a plant that may discharge effluents into water. The 2024 amendment decriminalised most minor offences, replacing imprisonment with monetary penalties.

Sections

Schedules

Ministry

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Last Amended

2024-02-22

Key Provisions

→Establishment of Central and State Pollution Control Boards

→Consent to establish and consent to operate for industrial plants

→Standards for effluent quality and discharge conditions

→Prohibition on polluting streams, wells, and sewers

→Powers of inspection and sampling by Board officers

→2024 amendment: decriminalisation — fines in lieu of imprisonment for minor violations

→Directions to prevent water pollution: closure, prohibition orders

→Courts: cognizance only on complaint from Board

Related Practice Areas

regulatory-compliance corporate-advisory

water pollutionCPCBSPCBeffluentconsent to operateenvironmental compliance

Section-by-Section Reference

We are building detailed section-by-section breakdowns for Water Act with plain English explanations. Subscribe to be notified when it is published.

Need Expert Advice on Water Act?

Corpus Juris Legal advises Delhi NCR businesses and institutions on all matters under Water Act. Partner-led attention from first advice to resolution.

Free Consultation

Indian government legislation is in the public domain under S.52(1)(q) of the Copyright Act, 1957. This reference is for educational purposes. Laws are amended frequently — verify the current text on the e-Gazette of India before relying on it for legal proceedings.