AP to tighten monitoring of aqua processing check untreated water

Metro India News | AMARAVATI : Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Forest and Environment Minister Pawan Kalyan has directed officials to step up monitoring of aqua processing and pre-processing units across the State and ensure strict compliance with prescribed environmental standards to prevent untreated aqua waste from polluting water resources.He said protecting rivers, canals, ponds, estuaries and groundwater from pollution was a priority and called for regular inspections and testing of effluents discharged by aqua units.

Officials of the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) informed the Deputy Chief Minister that 119 aqua processing units and 12 pre-processing units were currently operating across the State. Following his directions, the board has undertaken inspections, sample collection and testing to assess compliance with environmental norms. Samples have so far been collected from 82 units. Variations were detected in certain units in parameters including pH levels, floating solids and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), according to the APPCB report.

The board has issued show-cause notices to 10 units found to be non-compliant and given them two weeks to submit explanations and undertake corrective measures. Officials said regulatory action would be initiated under environmental laws against units found to be repeatedly violating prescribed standards. Reviewing the issue, Pawan Kalyan said untreated aqua waste could adversely affect water quality when it entered rivers, canals, ponds, estuarine areas and groundwater. 

He stressed the need to identify pollution at its source and prevent it through continuous monitoring. Pawan Kalyan directed officials to conduct regular sampling and testing at aqua processing and pre-processing units so that violations could be identified and addressed at an early stage. He said units should be given an opportunity to undertake corrective measures, while mechanisms should be put in place to ensure violations were not repeated. 

The Deputy Chief Minister said the objective was to ensure that aqua processing units effectively complied with environmental standards while preventing untreated waste from adversely affecting the State’s water resources. The APPCB has been asked to continue inspections and monitoring and take action against units that fail to comply with the prescribed environmental requirements.