Effective Measures to Prevent Pollution in Industrial Plants
Groundwater Protection Guidelines for CGWA Compliance
Overview: Measures to Prevent Pollution in Polluting Industries
Measures to be adopted to ensure prevention from pollution in the plant premises of polluting industries are essential to safeguard groundwater resources from contamination. Industries such as tanneries, slaughterhouses, dyeing units, chemical plants, and coal washeries often pose a high risk of groundwater pollution due to effluent discharge, leachate infiltration, and poor well construction practices.
This page provides detailed guidelines for pollution prevention in industrial plant premises, focusing on groundwater protection measures recommended by environmental authorities and the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).
1. Purpose of Pollution Prevention in Industrial Premises
Core Objectives
Protect groundwater quality and avoid contamination from industrial effluents
Ensure compliance with environmental clearance and CGWA norms
Promote sustainable industrial operations by maintaining clean and hygienic water sources
Application and Scope
Prevent health risks associated with polluted groundwater used by nearby communities
These measures to prevent pollution are applicable to both existing and new industrial projects categorized under polluting industries.
2. Key Guidelines and Measures to Prevent Pollution
2.1 Restriction on Tube Well Construction
Location Mandate:
No tube well, bore well, or dug well should be constructed near processing units. Wells must be located in hygienically maintained areas away from effluent or waste storage zones.
2.2 Use of Approved Construction Materials
Allowed Casing
Mild Steel (MS) pipes only
Should be used for casing or assembly to ensure well integrity.
Prohibition and Abandonment
PVC or similar plastic pipes are strictly prohibited
Existing wells with PVC casings should be abandoned and filled back using suitable sealing materials to prevent leaching.
2.3 Wellhead Protection Structure
Physical Barrier Requirement:
- Provide RCC grouting (3m × 3m × 2m) around each tube well or bore well for physical protection.
- The well casing pipe must be raised 1 meter above ground level (1 magl).
- Construct an RCC wall (0.5m height × 1.5m depth) around the well to prevent surface runoff or contamination from entering.
2.4 Non-Return Valve (NRV) & Prohibition
NRV Installation
Each bore well must have an NRV.
Ensures the well is used *only* for groundwater abstraction, preventing reverse injection.
Prohibition of Injection
NO water, effluent, or fluid should be injected.
Prevents aquifer contamination and maintains natural groundwater chemistry.
2.6/2.7 Artificial Recharge & Treatment Plants
Mandatory Exclusions:
- No Artificial Recharge Within Plant Premises: Industries must not implement recharge structures within the plant area.
- Abandon Near Treatment Plants: Any tube well or bore well located near STP (Sewage Treatment Plant) or ETP (Effluent Treatment Plant) must be permanently abandoned.
2.8 Monitoring through Piezometers
Monitoring Requirement:
Industries must install piezometers for groundwater level and water quality monitoring following the same construction standards as bore wells. Regular monitoring helps assess pollution control effectiveness and maintain CGWA regulations compliance.
3. Display and Documentation Requirements
Mandatory On-Site Display
Install a permanent display board at each well site showing:
- Tube well or bore well identification number and location/coordinates.
- Depth and aquifer zone tapped.
- Construction date and monitoring details.
Maintain records of monitoring reports, laboratory analyses, and inspection data for submission during compliance audits.
4. Importance of Implementing Pollution Prevention Measures
- Protects aquifer systems from chemical infiltration.
- Ensures compliance with CGWA and State Pollution Control Board guidelines.
- Reduces environmental liabilities and improves industry sustainability.
- Helps industries maintain NOC validity and groundwater compliance.
5. Best Practices and Recommendations
- Conduct annual groundwater testing from NABL-accredited laboratories.
- Use automatic data loggers or digital piezometers for real-time groundwater level tracking.
- Implement zero liquid discharge (ZLD) systems where feasible.
- Provide secondary containment around storage areas for chemicals and fuels.
- Train staff regularly on environmental safety protocols and pollution control measures.
❓ Key Questions on Industrial Pollution Prevention
1. Why are PVC casings strictly prohibited for bore wells in polluting industries?
PVC and similar plastic pipes are prohibited because they can degrade or leach contaminants into the groundwater, compromising the integrity of the water source. Only Mild Steel (MS) pipes are approved for casing.
2. What is the main function of the Non-Return Valve (NRV) on a bore well?
The Non-Return Valve (NRV) is mandatory to ensure that the bore well is used *only* for groundwater abstraction. It physically prevents any reverse injection of water, effluent, or fluid, which could contaminate the aquifer.
3. Are polluting industries allowed to implement artificial recharge structures within their plant premises?
No. Industries categorized as polluting must not implement recharge structures within the plant area. Recharge through potentially contaminated zones can degrade the groundwater quality.
4. What are the key elements required for wellhead protection (RCC grouting)?
The wellhead protection structure includes RCC grouting (3m × 3m × 2m), raising the casing pipe 1 meter above ground level, and constructing a perimeter RCC wall (0.5m height) to prevent surface runoff contamination.
5. What are the two primary purposes of installing dedicated piezometers?
Piezometers are mandatory for two primary purposes: accurate monitoring of groundwater level (static water table) and collection of reliable samples for water quality analysis, ensuring regulatory CGWA compliance.
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