Industry is a huge source of water pollution it produces pollutants that are extremely harmful to people and the environment.

The water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

The purpose of this act is “to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution. The acts and rules which seek to prevent water pollution in India are:

• The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, amended 1988
• The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977, amended 1992 and 2003.
• The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules, 1975.
• The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Rules, 1978

Water Pollution Cess Act, 1977 According to this Act, anyone consuming water has to pay certain amount of cess depending on:

1. Whether the industry is using water for industrial cooling, spraying in mine pits or boilers feed,
2. in processing, whereby water gets polluted and pollutants are easily biodegradable.
3. In processing whereby water gets polluted and the pollutants are not easily bio-degradable and are toxic.

Pollutants from industrial sources include:

• Asbestos – This pollutant is a serious health hazard and carcinogenic. Asbestos fibres can be inhaled and cause illnesses such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer, intestinal cancer and liver cancer.
• Lead – This is a metallic element and can cause health and environmental problems. It is a non-biodegradable substance so is hard to clean up once the environment is contaminated. Lead is harmful to the health of many animals, including humans, as it can inhibit the action of bodily enzymes.
• Mercury – This is a metallic element and can cause health and environmental problems. It is a non-biodegradable substance so is hard to clean up once the environment is contaminated. Mercury is also harmful to animal health as it can cause illness through mercury poisoning.