Common effluent treatment plants in Barhi found operating without consent: CPCB report

A recent inspection by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has revealed that the 10 MLD and 16 MLD Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) in the HSIIDC industrial estate at Barhi in Gannaur are running without a valid Consent to Operate (CTO) under the Air and Water Acts, and without mandatory authorisation under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016.

The findings were submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) following an inspection carried out by a CPCB team on October 7. The inspection was ordered by the NGT in response to a complaint filed by Delhi-based environmentalist Varun Gulati.

During the visit, the CPCB team collected samples from the inlet and outlet points of both CETPs and from nearby stormwater drains, and sent them for analysis to the Board’s laboratory.

According to the report, both CETPs were operational despite lacking valid CTOs. The treated effluent at both outlets was found non-compliant specifically with respect to Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels. No discharge — treated or untreated — was observed in the stormwater conveyance channel at the time of the inspection.

However, the CPCB noted that the stormwater pumping station was non-operational, with wastewater found stagnating in the pump sump. The report indicates that this wastewater exhibited characteristics of untreated sewage or industrial effluent, possibly due to (i) discharge by member industrial units into the stormwater channel, or (ii) legacy sludge lying in the sump.

The inspection also found that no covered shed existed for sludge storage, and that the disinfection systems (chlorination units) at the outlets of both CETPs were non-functional.

The CPCB has recommended that the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) examine the findings and initiate appropriate action.

The NGT’s Principal Bench has scheduled the next hearing in the matter for February 18.