PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF WATER POLLUTIONCentral

Section 19 of The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

(1)Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, if the State Government, after consultation with, or on the recommendation of, the State Board, is of opinion that the provisions of this Act need not apply to the entire State, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, restrict the application of this Act to such area or areas as may be declared therein as water pollution, prevention and control area or areas and thereupon the provisions of this Act shall apply only to such area or areas.
(2)Each water pollution, prevention and control area may be declared either by reference to a map or by reference to the line of any watershed or the boundary of any district or partly by one method and partly by another.
(3)The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,--
1. (a)alter any water pollution, prevention and control area whether by way of extension or reduction; or
2. (b)define a new water pollution, prevention and control area in which may be merged one or more water pollution, prevention and control areas, or any part or parts thereof.

Summary

The State Government can choose to apply this law only to certain parts of the State instead of the whole State.
Before making this choice, the State Government must talk to or get a suggestion from the State Board.
These specific parts are officially called water pollution, prevention and control areas.
The government must announce these areas by publishing a public notice in the Official Gazette.
These areas can be described in the notice using maps, district lines, or natural watershed boundaries.
The State Government has the power to grow, shrink, or join these areas together later.

Practical examples

1In June 2025, the government of a coastal state decides to apply the 1974 Water Act only to its industrial districts near the ports instead of the entire state.

2After a new water map is drawn in 2026, the local government adds a mountain district to its existing pollution control zone to protect the river source.

FAQ

1. Can a State Government apply the Water Act of 1974 to only one district?

Yes, under Section 19 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the State Government can restrict the application of the Act to specific areas like a single district.

2. Who must the government consult before limiting the area of the Water Act of 1974?

According to Section 19 of the 1974 Water Act, the State Government must consult with or take a recommendation from the State Board.

3. How are the boundaries of a pollution area defined in the 1974 Water Act?

Under Section 19 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, areas can be defined by maps, district boundaries, or natural watershed lines.

Test yourself

Q1.Under Section 19 of The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, what is required before a State Government restricts the application of the Act?

Q2.How must a "water pollution, prevention and control area" be declared under Section 19 of the 1974 Water Act?

Q3.Under Section 19 of The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, which method can be used to define a restricted area?

Q4.Can the State Government change the size of a pollution area after it is declared under Section 19 of the 1974 Water Act?

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