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

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1974 to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution, and for the maintaining or restoring of wholesomeness of water in the country.

• The main objectives of the Water Act are to provide for prevention, control, and abatement of water pollution and the maintenance or restoration of the wholesomeness of water. It is designed to assess pollution levels and punish polluters.
• Section 2 (e) of the Act defines what is pollution, according to Section 2(e) pollution means any contamination of water or alteration of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of water or disposing of any sewage waste in the water that is likely to cause nuisance or renders such water to be harmful to the public.
• Section 45(a) of the act states that Whoever contravenes any of the provisions of this Act or fails to comply with any order or direction given under this Act, for which no penalty has been elsewhere provided in this Act, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with both, and in the case of a continuing contravention or failure, with an additional fine which may extend to five thousand rupees for every day during which such contravention or failure continues after conviction for the first such contravention or failure.
• Section 8 in The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 states that a Board shall meet at least once in every three months and shall observe such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of business at its meetings as may be prescribed: Provided that if, in the opinion of the chairman, any business of an urgent nature is to be transacted, he may convene a meeting of the Board at such time as he thinks fit for the aforesaid purpose.