Ganga mission gets power to allow treated sewage into water bodies

Through this notification, the NMCG has added a new proviso in the sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 6 of the 2016 order, giving it powers to allow discharge of treated sewage, which conforms to the norms prescribed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, into river or any other water bodies.

According to the new provision, the NMCG may “permit the discharge of treated sewage, which conforms to the norms prescribed under the Act, into the river, canal or water bodies after exploring the option of its direct reuse for purposes such as agricultural use, industrial use, etc.”

The new provision is contrary to the existing provisions of paragraph 6 of the 2016 order that deals with prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution in Ganga and its tributaries. “No person shall discharge, directly or indirectly, any untreated or treated sewage or sewage sludge into the River Ganga or its tributaries or its banks,” stated the order.

The NMCG has added a new proviso in sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 6 of the 2016 order.

According to the new proviso, the NMCG may “permit the discharge of treated trade effluent, which conforms to the norms prescribed under the Act, into the river, canal or water bodies after exploring the option of its direct reuse for purposes such as agricultural use, industrial use, etc.”

NMCG Director General G Asok Kumar said only treated sewage that conforms to the prescribed norms may be permitted to discharge into the river, canal or water bodies after exploring the option of its direct reuse for purposes such as agricultural use and industrial use.

He said the move will ensure more water into the rivers. “For instance, 560 million litres per day treated sewage water from the Okhla Sewage Treatment plant in Delhi may be released into Yamuna, which will increase the flow of the river,” he added.