The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1974 to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution, and for the maintaining or restoring of wholesomeness of water in the country. The Act was amended in 1988. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act was enacted in 1977, to provide for the levy and collection of a cess on water consumed by persons operating and carrying on certain types of industrial activities. This cess is collected with a view to augment the resources of the Central Board and the State Boards for the prevention and control of water pollution constituted under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The Act was last amended in 2003.

Acts

• Amendment in Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
• No.06 of 1974, [23/03/1974] - The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 ,
• The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977 ,

Rules

• GSR 85 (E), dated January 30, 2025 : Control of Water Pollution (Grant, Refusal or Cancellation of Consent) Guidelines, 2025
• GSR 703 (E), dated Nov 12, 2024 : Exemption of Industrial Plants from application of provision of Section 25 of Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) vide dated Nov 14, 2024 : For implementation of the above Notification dated 12.11.2024 to exempt certain categories of Industrial Plants under the Water Act & the Air Act.
• GSR 696(E), dated Nov. 11, 2024 : Manner of Holding Inquiry and Imposition of Penalty Rules, 2024, in exercise of power conferred under Section 63 of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
• G.S.R.221(E), [23/03/2015] - Central Pollution Control Board (Qualifications and Terms and Conditions of Service of Chairman) Rules, 2015
• G.S.R.860(E), [30/11/2012] - The Central Pollution Control Board (Qualifications and other Terms and Conditions of Service of Chairman) (Amendment) Rules, 2012.
• G.S.R.840(E), [22/11/2012] - The Central Pollution Control Board (Member-Secretary, Terms and Conditions of Service and Recruitment) Rules, 2012.
• G.S.R.830(E), [24/11/2011] - The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Rules, 2011.
• G.S.R.378(E), [24/7/1978] - The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Rules, 1978
• G.S.R.58(E), [27/2/1975] - The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules, 1975 [PDF](8.14 MB)
• Central Board for the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution (Procedure for Transaction of Business) Rules, 1975 amended 1976

Notifications

• Order: Appointment of Adjudicating Officer under Section 45B of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
• S.O.1621(E), [27/9/2006] - Date on which the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess (Amendment) Act, 1974 (6 of 1974) came into force
• Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess (Amendment) Act, 1974 (6 of 1974) came into force
• S.O.498(E), [6/5/2003] - Date on which the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess (Amendment) Act, 2003 (19 of 2003) came into force
• S.O.499(E), [6/5/2003] - Rate of Cess notified under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess (Amendment) Act, 1977(36 of 1977)
• S.O.862(E), [26/11/1992] - Central Pollution Control Board constituted the Pollution Control Committee in the UT of Daman, Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli
• S.O.698(E), [3/7/1998] - Amendment to S.O.284(E) dated 19/2/1996
• S.O.787(E), [10/3/1992] - Delegation of Powers to the Union Territory of Pondicherry
• S.O.777(E), [19/7/1995] - Amendment to S.O.787 dated 10/3/1992
• S.O.198(E), [15/3/1991] - Delegation of Powers to the Union Territory of Delhi
• S.O.199(E), [15/3/1991] - Delegation of Powers to the Union Territory of Chandigarh
• S.O.842(E), [31/8/1988] - Delegation of Powers to the Union Territory of Lakshadweep
• No.8/1/-UTF I(4)-88/4953, [11/4/1988] - Constitution of Appellate Authorities under the Water Act, 1974 for Chandigarh
• G.O. Ms. No. 48/88/F6, [5/4/1988] - Constitution of Appellate Authorities under the Water Act, 1974 for Pondicherry
• No.1/2(71)/87.Plg., [7/4/1988] - Standards to prevent & control water pollution for Small-scale Industries located in the Union Territories
• S.O.247(E), [8/3/1988] - Delhi Zonal Laboratory of NEERI, Nagpur as a Central Water Laboratory
• S.O.787(E), [19/11/1991] - Central Pollution Control Board, New Delhi as Central Water Laboratory