The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) has asked hospitals having more than 100 beds to adhere to guidelines on discharge of waste water. “As per a decision taken in a SPCB meeting, in the initial phase, the health care establishments (HCEs) having 100 beds and above are required to take consent from the SPCB for discharge of waste water under section 25/26 of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
All HCEs having 100 beds or above are advised to take appropriate measures for proper management of waste water and seek consent from the SPCB on the provision of the Act,” said a notification of the SPCB.
Besides generation of biomedical waste, the HCEs generate substantial quantities of waste water posing serious threat to the environment. This waste water is required to be disposed of in an environmentally sound manner and to be regulated under the Wastewater Act.
The guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) include the HCEs under RED category of industries, which means that pollution potential of HCEs is significant, said the notification. Violation of the law will attract penal provision of Section 44 of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.
“Whoever contravenes the provision of Section 25/26 shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year and six months, but may extend to six years and with fine,” says the notification.