Confused About MPCB's Water Drainage Rules in Pune? Seeking Guidance on Compliance and Legalities

Dear Seniors, Please guide me regarding the MPCB (Maharashtra Pollution Control Board). According to them, in Pune, we must not drain even one drop of water out of our factory. Is this possible, and is it in accordance with the law? While MIDC or PCMC has not provided any guidelines on draining water outside, the MPCB is instructing us not to drain water outside the premises of the factory. How should we handle this authority (MPCB)?

Thanks and Regards,
Dev

For this matter, I would like to advise you to please go through the Consent to Operate issued by MPCB to your company, where it must be clearly defined what kind of wastes are allowed from your company. If your company is producing any wastewater that may be hazardous as per environmental laws, MPCB or PCMC will definitely object to draining it out other than through standard methods. According to the norms set by MPCB, it has to be properly disposed of or recycled by in-house wastewater treatment facilities like ETP/STP. It would not be permissible to drain out through local drainage systems.

I would like to advise you to please go through the details of your permissions/consents by such authorities and try to make the necessary arrangements for its drainage. Nowadays, MPCB or such competent authorities are stricter in enforcing environmental laws. Hence, take proper steps for wastewater disposal in consultation with your management.

I hope this will help you...

Regards,

Dear Mr. Dev,

Mr. Atul S. Malve has provided very valuable information to you. To begin with, before you started the construction of your factory, you would have obtained the 'consent to establish', and before commencing production, you would have obtained the 'consent to operate'. These two documents will outline your company's responsibilities. Additionally, you may also want to explore ZERO DISCHARGE schemes. By implementing this, certain industries can completely eliminate liquid discharge of any kind.

V. Raghunathan