Ministry of Environment Introduces Draft Wastewater Management Rules 2024

On 07^th October 2024, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change vide Notification No. SO4341(E) has notified Draft Wastewater Management Rules 2024 (‘Draft Rules’) to address the management of the liquid waste as a whole and each of its aspects individually with effect from 1^st October 2025.

Scope of Draft Wastewater Management Rules

The Draft Wastewater Management Rules cover:

• Liquid waste minimization.
• Managing the collection of liquid waste.
• Treatment of liquid waste.
• Reuse/utilization of treated wastewater or sludge/faecal sludge; discharge/disposal of the remaining treated wastewater or sludge/faecal sludge.

Applicability of Wastewater Management Rules

The rules apply to:

• Urban and rural local bodies.
• Public authorities.
• Relevant entities managing or generating liquid waste.

Key Provisions under the Draft Rules

The Draft Rules establish responsibilities for various stakeholders:

• Provisions which imposes duties on wastewater generator, bulk user of water, duties of operators of wastewater treatment facilities, Duties of local body including public wastewater management authorities.
• Provisions which imposes duties on user of onsite sanitation system, operator of faecal sludge treatment facilities and local body.
• Provisions which deals with the treatment and reuse of wastewater by industry by imposing duties of industries. The Rules regulate Extended User Responsibility (‘EUR’) Certificate for treatment of wastewater.Environmental Compensation
• Provisions stating general Obligations for sludge/faecal sludge handling entities including wastewater treatment facilities, ETPs, CETPs, faecal sludge treatment facilities.
• Provisions regarding implementation of Centralised Online Portal, Imposition of Environmental Compensation, and filing of Annual Reports.
• Provisions regarding role and responsibilities of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Department of Fertilizers, State/ UT government, State Pollution Control Board etc.

Schedules under the Wastewater Management Rules

Schedule I: Compliance Timeline for Local Bodies

Local bodies, including public wastewater authorities, must:

• [Chapter II, Rule 4(b)]: prepare an action plan for environmentally sound management of wastewater in their jurisdiction including collection, treatment, reuse and utilization/disposal
• [Chapter III, Rule 4(d)]: develop an action plan for environmentally sound management of faecal sludge generated in the area under their jurisdiction including collection, treatment, and utilizations/ disposal as per Schedule I below, following guidelines issued by MoHUA/ DDWS, as applicable
• [Chapter III, Rule 4(k)]: develop monitoring framework for ensuring collection, transport, treatment and disposal of faecal sludge in an environmentally sound manner, using IT based tools.
• [Chapter VII Rule 7(1)(o)]: develop online grievance redressal mechanism as per Schedule-I a n d shall report about it annually on the centralized online portal regarding the complaints received, resolved, and pending.

Schedule II: Industries Identified for Reuse of Wastewater

Industries required to follow wastewater reuse provisions include:

• Thermal Power plants
• Pulp and Paper
• Textile Industry
• Iron and Steel industry

Forms and Reporting under the Draft Rules

The rules include the following forms:

• Form 1(A): Application to be submitted by bulk user of water
• Form 1(B): Format for grant of registration to user by State Pollution Control Board
• Form 1 (C): Format for submission of Extended User Responsibility plan by the bulk user
• Form 2(A): Application to be submitted by owner of liquid waste treatment facility for grant of registration/renewal of registration
• Form 2(B): Format for grant of registration/renewal of registration to owner of liquid waste treatment facility by State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees
• Form 3: Annual returns to be submitted by bulk user by 30th day of June of the following financial year
• Form 4: Quarterly return to be submitted by liquid waste treatment facility to State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees by end of the month succeeding the end of the quarter
• Form 5: Form of appeal

Source and Reference

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Notification No. SO4341(E) dated 07.10.2024 ‘Liquid Waste Management Rules 2024’. Link: Official Notification