Lok Sabha Question No. 3585 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-20
Subject: Discharge of Toxic into Rivers
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Preneet Kaur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3585

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2021

## Discharge of Toxic into Rivers

## 3585. SHRIMATI PRENEET KAUR:

Will  the  Minister  of  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND  CLIMATE  CHANGE  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  increase  in  the  chemical  and  pharmaceutical pollution of rivers and soil due to irresponsible discharge of chemicals and pharmaceutical compounds from industries and if so, the details, thereof;
- (b) whether  there  are  any  regulations  that  limit  the  concentration  of  API  residue  in  the wastewater  released  from  hospitals,  and  pharmaceutical  manufacturing  units  and  if  so, the details thereof;
- (c) if  not,  whether  the  Government  plans  to  implement  a  framework  that  limits  the concentration of API residue in the wastewaters released from hospitals and pharmaceutical manufacturing units;
- (d) whether  the  common  effluent  treatment  plants  are  capable  of  neutralizing  API  residue present in the wastewater of hospitals and pharmaceutical manufacturing units; and
- (e) if  not,  whether  the  Government  is  exploring  any  novel  technological  interventions  to neutralize the  API  residues  present  in  the  wastewaters  of hospitals  and  pharmaceutical manufacturing units?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) Water  quality  of  aquatic  resourcescovering  surface  and  ground  water  is  monitored  at 2026 locations on rivers under National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP). A set of  micro  pollutants  (metals  and  pesticides)  are  monitored.  Standards/criteria  for  pesticides parameters  in  rivers  and  other  water  bodies  are  not  notified,  however,    BIS  has  specified  IS 10500: 2012 which include pesticides parameters. Findings of  pesticides parameters monitored under  NWMP  for  major  rivers  viz.  Beas,  Cauvery,  Ganga,  Ghaggar,  Godavari,  Mahanadi, Narmada,  Sabarmati,  Satluj,  Tapi  and  Yamuna  during  2020  ranges  between  BDL  to  0.06 microgram/L for Alpha -HCH), BDL to 0.37 microgram/L for Beta HCH, BDL for Gama HCH, o-p  DDT,  pp  DDT,  Alpha  ,  Beta  Endosulphan,  BDL-0.07  microgram/L  for  Aldrin,  BDL  for Dieldrin, Chloropyriphos, Methyl Parathion, Malathion, BDL -0.05 microgram/L for Anilophos. Detail table for water quality data of pesticides parameters in major rivers is given at Annexure I

The  monitoring  is conducted  and  analyzed for various physico-chemical,  microbiological  and  micro-pollutants  (metals  &  pesticides)  parameters  as  per  Guidelines  for  Water Quality  Monitoring,  2017  issued  by  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  , (Annexure-I) and are available on the linkhttps://cpcb.nic.in/wqm/Guidelines\_Water\_Quality\_Monitoring\_2017.pdf

The Government has prescribed industry specific effluent discharge norms including for chemical  industries,  which  is  revised  from  time  to  time.  The  Environmental  standards  for pharmaceutical industries was revised and notified on 06.08.2021. These industries are permitted to operate only after having adequate Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) and Air Pollution control devices (APCDs). Non-compliance observed to the discharge norms are appropriately dealt by issuance of  show  causes  notice  or  closure,  within  the  provision  of  the  Water  (Prevention  and Control of Pollution)  Act,1974 or the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)  Act,1981.

Central  Pollution  Control  Board  (CPCB)  has  issued  directives  for  close  monitoring  of industrial discharges to control pollution including chemical and pharmaceutical unit.

(b) & (c)Expert committee has consideredAntibiotic residue standard for pharmaceutical sector and has not accepted for the reasons, including the followings:

- i. No other country in the world implemented these standards.
- ii. PNEC  (Predict  No  Effect  Concentration)  values,  one  of  the  basis  for  standards posses challenge for compliance by any static treatment option to meet the dynamic nature of the PNEC values published by a consortium of AMR manufacturer.
- iii. Implementation, monitoring and compliance challenges for 121 antibiotics standards.

(d) & (e) Common Effluent Treatment Plant is a collective treatment system for treatment of effluents from small and medium scale industries located in industrial areas.  The discharge limits for general and specific parameters are notified by the Government (Annexure-II). Active pharmaceutical  Ingredients (API) is not a notified parameter for CETPs.  However, BOD and COD of the wastewater are contributed by the API components. The CETPs having appropriate primary  and  secondary  treatment  process  with  adequate  capacity  and  followed  by  tertiary treatment as per requirement of influent wastewater quality are capable to meet the prescribed norms of BOD and COD.

No study has been conducted to explore any novel technological interventionto neutralize  the API residues  present  in  the  wastewaters  of  hospitals  and  pharmaceutical  manufacturing  units, however, concentration  of APIswas not detected  in  the  outlet  of  Effluent  Treatment  Plants  of Pharmaceutical  industries  during  the  project  study  of  'Comprehensive  Industry  Document  on Pharmaceutical Industry and Development of Emission Standards" by CPCB.

***

Annexure  I referred in  Part (a)  of the reply to the LokSabhaUnstarred Question No. 3585  due for answer on 20.12.2021 regarding 'Discharge of Toxic into Rivers'

## Water Quality data of Major rivers w.r t Pesticides parameters monitored under NWMP in the year

Table - I 2020

| Name of River   | No. of Stations Monitored under NWMP   | Alpha HCH (μg/L)                         | Alpha HCH (μg/L)   | Alpha HCH (μg/L)   | Beta HCH (μg/L)                          | Beta HCH (μg/L)   | Beta HCH (μg/L)   | Gamma HCH (μg/L)                | Gamma HCH (μg/L)   | Gamma HCH (μg/L)   | o,p' DDT (μg/L)                          | o,p' DDT (μg/L)   | o,p' DDT (μg/L)   | p,p' - DDT (μg/L)                        | p,p' - DDT (μg/L)   | Alpha Endosulphan (μg/L)                 | Alpha Endosulphan (μg/L)   | Alpha Endosulphan (μg/L)   |
|-----------------|----------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|--------------------|--------------------|------------------------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|---------------------------------|--------------------|--------------------|------------------------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|------------------------------------------|---------------------|------------------------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|
| Name of River   | No. of Stations Monitored under NWMP   | No. of Stations for which data available | Min                | Max                | No. of Stations for which data available | Min               | Max for data      | No. of Stations which available | Min                | Max                | No. of Stations for which data available | Min               | Max               | No. of Stations for which data available | Min Max             | No. of Stations for which data available | Min                        | Max                        |
| BEAS            | 36                                     | 10                                       | BDL                | BDL 10             | BDL                                      | BDL               |                   | 10                              | BDL                | BDL                | 10                                       | BDL BDL           | 10                | BDL                                      | 4.5                 | 10                                       | BDL                        | BDL                        |
| CAUVERY         | 64                                     | 35                                       | BDL                | BDL 23             | BDL                                      |                   | BDL               | 35                              | BDL                | BDL                |                                          |                   | 14                |                                          | BDL BDL             | 14                                       | BDL                        | BDL                        |
| GANGA           | 92                                     | 16                                       | BDL                | BDL 2              | BDL                                      | BDL               |                   | 16                              | BDL                | BDL                | 17                                       | BDL               | BDL               | 15                                       | BDL BDL             | 16                                       | BDL                        | BDL                        |
| GHAGGAR         | 27                                     | 14                                       | BDL                | BDL 14             | BDL                                      | BDL               |                   | 14 BDL                          | BDL                |                    | 14                                       | BDL BDL           | 14                |                                          | BDL BDL             | 14                                       | BDL                        | BDL                        |
| GODAVARI        | 43                                     | 1                                        | BDL                | BDL 1              |                                          | BDL               | BDL               | 1                               | BDL                | BDL                | 1                                        | BDL               | BDL               | 1                                        | BDL BDL             | 1                                        | BDL                        | BDL                        |
| MAHANADI        | 28                                     | 1                                        | BDL                | BDL 1              |                                          | BDL               | BDL               | 1                               | BDL                | BDL                | 1                                        | BDL               | 0.05              | 1                                        | BDL 0.05            | 1                                        | BDL                        | BDL                        |
| NARMADA         | 56                                     | 2                                        | BDL                | BDL                | 1                                        | BDL               | BDL               | 2                               | BDL                | BDL                | 1                                        | BDL               | BDL               | 1                                        | BDL BDL             | 1                                        | BDL                        | BDL                        |
| SABARMATI       | 13                                     | 1                                        | BDL                | BDL                | 1                                        | BDL               | BDL               |                                 |                    |                    | 1                                        | BDL               | BDL               | 1                                        | BDL BDL             | 2                                        | BDL                        | BDL                        |
| SATLUJ          | 50                                     | 18                                       | BDL                | BDL                | 18                                       | BDL               | BDL               | 18                              | BDL                | BDL                | 18                                       | BDL               | BDL               | 18                                       | BDL BDL             | 18                                       | BDL                        | BDL                        |
| TAPI            | 17                                     | 6                                        | BDL                | BDL                | 6                                        | BDL               | BDL               | 6                               | BDL                | BDL                | 6                                        | BDL               | BDL               | 7                                        | BDL BDL             | 7                                        | BDL                        | BDL                        |
| YAMUNA          | 53                                     | 10                                       | BDL                | 0.06               | 10                                       | BDL               | 0.37              | 10                              | BDL                | BDL                | 10                                       | BDL               | BDL               | 10                                       | BDL BDL             | 10                                       | BDL                        | BDL                        |
| Total           | 479                                    | 114                                      |                    |                    | 87                                       |                   |                   | 113                             |                    |                    | 79                                       |                   |                   | 92                                       |                     | 94                                       |                            |                            |

Table - II

## Water Quality data of Major rivers w.r t Pesticides parameters monitored under NWMP in the year 2020

| Name of River   | No. of Stations Monitored   | Beta Endosulphan (μg/L)                  | Beta Endosulphan (μg/L)   | Beta Endosulphan (μg/L)   | Aldrin (μg/L)                            | Aldrin (μg/L)   | Aldrin (μg/L)   | Dieldrin (μg/L)                          | Dieldrin (μg/L)   | Dieldrin (μg/L)   | Chloropyriphos (μg/L)                    | Chloropyriphos (μg/L)   | Chloropyriphos (μg/L)   | MethylParathion (μg/L)                   | MethylParathion (μg/L)   | MethylParathion (μg/L)   | Anilophos (μg/L)                             | Anilophos (μg/L)   | Malathian (μg/L)                         | Malathian (μg/L)   | Malathian (μg/L)   |
|-----------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|------------------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|------------------------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|------------------------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|------------------------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|----------------------------------------------|--------------------|------------------------------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
| Name of River   | under NWMP                  | No. of Stations for which data available | Min                       | Max                       | No. of Stations for which data available | Min             | Max             | No. of Stations for which data available | Min               | Max               | No. of Stations for which data available | Min                     | Max                     | No. of Stations for which data available | Min                      | Max                      | No. of Stations for which data available Min | Max                | No. of Stations for which data available | Min                | Max                |
| BEAS            | 36                          | 10                                       | BDL                       | BDL                       | 10 BDL                                   |                 | BDL             | 10                                       | BDL               | BDL               | 10                                       | BDL                     | BDL                     | 10                                       | BDL                      | BDL                      | 10 BDL                                       | BDL                | 10                                       | 5                  | 5                  |
| CAUVERY         | 64                          | 14                                       | BDL                       | BDL                       | 21 BDL                                   | BDL             | 21              |                                          | BDL               | BDL               | 13                                       | BDL                     | BDL                     | 13                                       | BDL                      | BDL                      | 1 0.05                                       | 0.05               | 14                                       | BDL                | BDL                |
| GANGA           | 92                          | 16                                       | BDL                       | BDL                       | 15 BDL                                   | BDL             | 16              |                                          | BDL               | BDL               | 16                                       | BDL                     | BDL                     | 15                                       | BDL                      | BDL                      | 2 BDL                                        | BDL                | 16                                       | BDL                | BDL                |
| GHAGGAR         | 27                          | 14                                       | BDL                       | BDL                       | 14                                       | 3               | 3               | 14                                       | BDL               | BDL               | 14                                       | BDL                     | BDL                     | 14                                       | BDL                      | BDL                      | 14 BDL                                       | BDL                | 14                                       | BDL                | BDL                |
| GODAVARI        | 43                          | 1                                        | BDL                       | BDL                       | 1 BDL                                    |                 | BDL             | 1                                        | BDL               | BDL               | 1                                        | BDL                     | BDL                     | 1                                        | BDL                      | BDL                      |                                              |                    | 1                                        | BDL                | BDL                |
| MAHANADI        | 28                          | 1                                        | BDL                       | BDL                       | 1                                        | BDL             | BDL             | 1                                        | BDL               | BDL               | 1                                        | BDL                     | BDL                     | 1                                        | BDL                      | BDL                      | 1 BDL                                        | BDL                | 1                                        | BDL                | BDL                |
| NARMADA         | 56                          | 1                                        | BDL                       | BDL                       | 1                                        | BDL             | BDL             | 1                                        | BDL               | BDL               | 1                                        | BDL                     | BDL                     | 1                                        | BDL                      | BDL                      |                                              |                    | 1                                        | BDL                | BDL                |
| SABARMATI       | 13                          | 2                                        | BDL                       | BDL                       | 2                                        | BDL             | BDL             | 2                                        | BDL               | BDL               |                                          |                         |                         |                                          |                          |                          |                                              |                    |                                          |                    |                    |
| SATLUJ          | 50                          | 18                                       | BDL                       | BDL                       | 18                                       | BDL             | BDL             | 18                                       | BDL               | BDL               | 18                                       | BDL                     | BDL                     | 18                                       | BDL                      | BDL                      | 18 BDL                                       | BDL                | 18                                       | BDL                | BDL                |
| TAPI            | 17                          | 7                                        | BDL                       | BDL                       | 7                                        | BDL             | BDL             | 7                                        | BDL               | BDL               |                                          |                         |                         |                                          |                          |                          |                                              |                    |                                          |                    |                    |
| YAMUNA          | 53                          | 10                                       | BDL                       | BDL                       | 10                                       | BDL             | 0.07            | 10                                       | BDL               | BDL               | 13                                       | BDL                     | BDL                     | 13                                       | BDL                      | BDL                      |                                              |                    | 13                                       | BDL                | BDL                |
| Total           | 479                         | 94                                       |                           |                           | 100                                      |                 |                 | 101                                      |                   |                   | 87                                       |                         |                         | 86                                       |                          |                          | 46                                           |                    | 88                                       |                    |                    |

## Annexure II

Annexure II referred in  Part (d)  & (e ) of the reply to the LokSabhaUnstarred Question No. 3585  due for answer on 20.12.2021 regarding 'Discharge of Toxic into Rivers'

## Parameters and frequency for analysis of ground water samples

| Type of Station     | Frequency                                                            | Parameter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|---------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Baseline:           | Twice a year (Pre &Post monsoon season)                              | A. Pre and Post Monsoon Season: Analyse 22 parameters as listed below : a. General : Colour, Odour, Temperature, pH, EC, TDS b. Nutrients : NO 2 , NO 3 , Orthophosphate c. Organic Matter : COD d. Major ions : K + , Na + , Ca ++ , Mg ++ , CO 3 - - , HCO 3 - , Cl - , SO 4 - - , e. Other inorganics : F, B and other location-specific parameter, if any f. Microbiological : Total and Faecal Coliforms B. Micropollutants: (i) Pesticides-Analyse once a year during Pre-monsoon period Alachlor, Atrazine, Aldrin/ Dialdrin, Alpha HCH, Beta HCH, Gama HCH (Lindane), Delta HCH, Butachlor, Chloropyriphos, 2,4- Diphenoxyacetic acid, OP-DDT, PP-DDT, DDE, DDD, Alpha Endosulphan, Beta Endosulphan, Sulphate Endosulphan, Ethion, Isoproturon, Malathian, Methyl Parathian, Monocrotophos, Phorate (ii) Toxic Metals- Analyse twice a year during Pre-monsoon and Post- monsoon periods As (III & V), Al, Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr (III & VI), Fe, Pb, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, Se, Zn (The parameters may be selected based on local need) (iii) Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) |
| Trend and Hotspots: | Twice a year (Pre &Post monsoon season and other times, if required) | and Trihalomethanes (THM) - Analyse as per site requirement. A. Pre and Post Monsoon Season: Analyse all the parameters including Micropollutants as listed for Baseline stations. B. Other times (if required): Analyse 15 parameters as listed below: a. General : Colour, Odour, Temperature, pH, EC, TDS b. Nutrients : NO 2 , NO 3 , Orthophosphate c. Organic Matter : COD d. Major ions : Cl - , e. Other inorganics : F, B and other location-specific parameter, if any f. Microbiological : Total and Faecal Coliforms g. Micropollutants : As per site specific requirement                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |