Panel set up to improve working of effluent plant

Tribune News Service

Solan,October 8

Aditya Negi, member secretary, State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), has constituted a four-member committee to streamline the working of the Baddi-based common effluent treatment plant (CETP). The committee will study it functioning and suggest measures for improvement.

The committee consists of the regional officers of Parwanoo, Baddi and Paonta Sahib and an assistant environment engineer of the board. The step has been taken following the directions of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under Section 33A of the Water Act to initiate legal action against the plant management as its working was found lax in an inspection.

Negi said the committee was studying the issue. As per the initial reports, it was found that since the limit of the total dissolved solids exceeded the prescribed level, measures like directing textile units to undertake primary treatment of their effluents were being contemplated.

The conduits carrying toxic effluents emitted by these units had led to corrosion of pipes, resulting in choking. The primary treatment would reduce the toxicity of the effluents.

Negi said the report was likely to be finalised soon following which he would direct the plant management to take measures to improve its working.

As per report submitted by the state pollution control board, it was found that the discharge limit of fixed dissolved solids was as high as 3,419 against the prescribed limit of 2,100 while the same limit of chlorides was 1,753 as against 1,000.

Irregularities found

• As per the report submitted by the state pollution control board, it was found that the discharge limit of fixed dissolved solids was as high as 3,419 against the prescribed limit of 2,100 while the same limit of chlorides was 1,753 as against 1,000
• The CPCB team has also observed that the online continuous emission monitoring system was connected to the CPCB server but was found to be out of order, which was a major flaw in the system