CPCB orders action against Bengaluru CETP for lead, cyanide violations

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has instructed the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) to take action against Viwa Eco Club, the operator of a common effluent treatment plant (CETP) in the Veerasandra Industrial Estate near Electronic City, Bengaluru. The directive follows the detection of dangerously high levels of lead and cyanide in the treated water.

The Issue with Treated Water

The CETP, with a capacity of 20 kld (kilolitres per day), handles effluents from 53 industrial units, including metal surface finishers, electroplaters, and metal coaters. These industries transport their effluent to the plant, where it is treated and then disposed of. In April 2024, the plant reported treating 486 kl of acidic wastewater from 49 industrial units.

During an inspection by CPCB on April 19, significant violations were uncovered. Samples of the treated water taken from the reverse osmosis (RO) permeate tank revealed that the concentration of lead was 1.44 mg/litre, far exceeding the permissible limit of 0.1 mg/litre. Cyanide levels were also found to be 0.4 mg/litre, double the standard limit of 0.2 mg/litre.

Limited Disposal Options

The treated water was permitted for disposal on the land within the CETP premises. However, CPCB officials noted that the land available, a mere 500 square metres, was insufficient to accommodate the large volumes of treated water, particularly for year-round disposal through methods such as gardening.

Additionally, the CPCB observed that the plant’s consent authorisation did not prescribe a disposal pathway for water rejected by the RO plant. This gap in the consent documentation prompted further directives from CPCB to KSPCB.

CPCB’s Directives to KSPCB

The CPCB has ordered the KSPCB to take immediate action against the CETP for the observed violations. These actions may include the imposition of environmental compensation for the hazardous levels of contaminants in the treated water.

The CPCB also recommended a study to assess the amount of land required to safely dispose of the treated water without harming the environment. Further, the state pollution board has been asked to clarify the disposal pathway for RO-rejected water, which was missing in the original consent authorisation for the CETP.

Conclusion

The findings at the Viwa Eco Club CETP raise serious concerns about the effectiveness of the plant’s effluent treatment processes. The high levels of lead and cyanide in the treated water pose significant environmental and public health risks, especially considering the improper disposal methods currently in place. The CPCB’s directive to KSPCB signals a push for stricter enforcement of pollution control standards in industrial areas.