CPCB flags non-compliance of effluent treatment norms at UP tannery clusters, Pg11.

Key Highlights:

• The CPCB flagged non-compliance of wastewater treatment at tannery clusters in Jajmau, Unnao, and Banther to the UPPCB.
• Instructions were issued on September 18 by the CPCB to the UPPCB to ensure compliance with water treatment norms at tanneries.
• Over 300 tannery units are operational in these clusters, which are major hubs for leather product exports.
• The Rs 617-crore Jajmau CETP, commissioned last August, has a treatment capacity of 20 million litres of effluents per day.
• Inspections revealed the Jajmau CETP was not complying with effluent quality standards for BOD and TDS, with TDS levels five times above norms.
• The common chrome recovery unit (CCRU) of 900 KLD was found non-operational due to insufficient exhaust chrome liquor.

Detailed Insights:

• Tannery clusters in Kanpur, Unnao, and Banther are significant for leather exports but contribute heavily to Ganga pollution.
• Individual tannery units must perform primary treatment before sending effluents to the cluster's CETP.
• The CPCB has directed the UPPCB to form a surveillance team to ensure units connected to CETPs comply with inlet effluent quality standards.
• A time-bound action plan is required to improve the operation and maintenance of CETPs to meet Union Environment Ministry standards.
• High BOD levels in water indicate a higher pollution load, which is detrimental to aquatic life.
• The Jajmau CETP failed to meet inlet effluent quality standards for total suspended solids and chromium, indicating improper operation of primary ETPs.
• The non-operational CCRU exacerbates chromium pollution, hindering the recovery and recycling of chromium used in tanning.

Key Concepts Involved:

• CETP (Common Effluent Treatment Plant): A facility that treats wastewater from multiple industries to meet discharge standards.
• Effluent: Liquid waste or sewage discharged into a river or the sea.
• BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand): The amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in water.
• TDS (Total Dissolved Solids): The total amount of minerals, salts, metals, and other substances dissolved in water.