5. Policies and Acts related to water in India
A brief introduction to various water related policies and acts in India.
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The Water Act, 1974
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act [1] was enacted in March 1974 and again amended in 1988. It provides the prevention and control of water pollution, and for the maintaining or restoring of quality standards of water in the country. As per the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution), Act 1974, industrial units are required to install effluent treatment plants (ETPs) and treat their effluents to comply with stipulated environmental standards before discharging into river and water bodies. -
National Water Policy
The National Water Policy[2] was launched in September, 1987, and further revised in 2002 and 2012 by the National Water Research Center. The policy was based on the principle of conservation, protection, management and regulation of vital and stressed natural resources. It incorporated legislative and executive actions on various levels of governance on the water resource. -
National Water Mission
The National Water Mission[3] was launched in 2011 by the National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, Government of India. A National Water Mission will ensure integrated water resource management, helping to conserve water, minimize wastage and ensure more equitable distribution both across and within states. The Mission will develop a framework to optimize water use by increasing water use efficiency by 20%. -
Water Quality Standards in India
The water quality standards in India[4] are regulated by the Central Pollution Control Board on recommendations of the World Health Organization. There are various criteria which describe the availability and quality standards of water, fit for drinking and other purposes.
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