Effluent Treatment plant (ETP)

Why in News ? The collapse of an effluent treatment plant (ETP) at a dyeing unit in Cuddalore SIPCOT recently, has drawn significant attention due to its environmental and public health implications. The incident caused wastewater flooding in Kudikadu Colony,

Relevance :  UPSC Pre & Mains

Prelims: Effluent treatment plant (ETP/ Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991)

Mains : GS Paper III: Environment/Science & Tech.

 Impacts & Concern:

• It affected 20 homes and 19 residents were hospitalized with symptoms like eye irritation, nausea, and fatigue.
• The collapse scattered debris, damaged a compound wall, and flooded 20 houses with six lakh litres of untreated wastewater, spreading panic in the area.
• Arulselvam of SACEM criticized the lack of safety audits and mock drills, noting recurring accidents in SIPCOT. He called for compensation under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, and a review of safety measures.
• Historical Context: SIPCOT Cuddalore has a documented history of pollution violations, including illegal effluent discharges and accidents, as reported by SACEM since the 2000s, raising concerns about systemic regulatory failures.

About Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs):

Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) are facilities designed to treat industrial wastewater before its release into the environment or reuse, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. They are critical in industries like textiles, dyeing, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, which generate polluted wastewater containing chemicals, dyes, heavy metals, and organic compounds.

Purpose:

• ETPs remove toxic substances, reduce pollution levels, and ensure wastewater meets discharge standards set by bodies like the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and TNPCB. They protect water bodies, groundwater, and public health.

Components:

• ETPs typically include screens (to remove large solids), sedimentation tanks (for settling particles), biological treatment units (using microbes to degrade organic matter), chemical treatment systems (for neutralizing chemicals), and filtration units (to remove remaining impurities).

Process:

• Wastewater undergoes primary treatment (physical removal of solids), secondary treatment (biological degradation), and tertiary treatment (advanced filtration or chemical treatment) to make it safe for discharge or reuse.

Significance in Cuddalore SIPCOT:

• The dyeing unit’s ETP was designed to treat six lakh litres of wastewater daily, critical in a region where textile and chemical industries contribute to water pollution. The collapse highlights risks when ETPs fail, as untreated effluents can contaminate groundwater, rivers (e.g., Uppanar), and residential areas, as seen in Kudikadu.

Challenges:

• Common issues include poor maintenance, inadequate design, lack of regular inspections, and non-compliance with standards, as evidenced by SIPCOT’s history of effluent-related incidents. SACEM has reported illegal discharges and heavy metal contamination in the region since the 2000s.
• Regulatory Framework: ETPs are governed by the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, with standards enforced by CPCB and state pollution boards. Non-compliance can lead to fines, closures, or legal action, as demanded by residents in this case.