The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KPCB) has issued a circular directing the implementation of revised discharge standards for Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs), following the latest national environmental regulations.
Key Highlights:
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the Environment (Protection) Second Amendment Rules, 2024 via Notification No. S.O. 3864(E) dated 09.09.2024.
- These revised rules include stricter standards for the discharge of environmental pollutants from CETPs and new guidelines for their operation.
- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), through its letter dated 20.09.2024, has instructed all states to begin implementation by 1st September 2025.
- The KPCB circular directs all district offices where CETPs are located to:
- Revise Consent to Operate (CTO) conditions accordingly.
- Ensure that all CETPs are compliant with the new discharge norms by the effective date.
What This Means:
Industries connected to CETPs must ensure they meet the new discharge standards by September 2025. Consent renewals and operational permits will now reflect these updated conditions to promote better environmental compliance across the state.
This regulatory update marks a significant step toward strengthening pollution control and protecting Kerala’s water resources.
