The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 has been enacted to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution and the maintaining or restoring of wholesomeness of water, for the establishment, with a view to carrying out the purposes aforesaid, of Boards for the prevention and control of water pollution, for conferring on and assigning to such Boards, powers and functions relating thereto and for connected matters. An institutional structure for preventing and abating water pollution has been established under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act. It sets standards for water quality and effluent. The act lays down that Polluting industries must seek permission to discharge waste into effluent bodies. The Central Pollution Control Board was constituted under this act. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977 provides for the levy and collection of cess or fees on water consuming industries and local authorities. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Rules, 1978 contains the standard definitions and indicates the kind of & the location of meters that every consumer of water is required to affix.
