Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974 with Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules 1975 [Bare Act with Section Notes] by Taxmann is the definitive statutory compendium for understanding and implementing India's primary legislation on water pollution control. This meticulously updated 2025 Edition consolidates the full, amended text of the Act and Rules, incorporating all legislative changes up to date, along with authoritative section-wise notes, key judicial interpretations, model forms, and relevant compliance guidance. Designed as both a reference and a practical guide, this Bare Act serves stakeholders tasked with environmental protection, regulatory compliance, and the interpretation or application of water law in India.

This book is intended for the following audience:

Legal Professionals & Consultants – Advocates, in-house legal teams, environmental law practitioners, and compliance officers seeking statutory reference, practical notes, and authoritative commentary
Corporate Entities – Legal and regulatory compliance related to the Board's Report, CSR and ESG reporting frameworks, approval of business operations, and avoidance of penal consequences
Environmental & Pollution Control Boards – Officers, administrators, and technical staff at Central and State Boards involved in the enforcement of water pollution laws
Industry & Business Entities – Compliance managers, plant heads, and environmental officers in manufacturing, processing, and service industries affected by consent, monitoring, and discharge regulations
Government Departments & Policy Makers – Officials, regulators, and policymakers involved in environmental governance and legislative drafting
Students & Academics – Law students, researchers, and educators seeking an authentic, up-to-date text with interpretative notes and landmark case law
NGOs, Environmental Activists & General Public – Those engaged in advocacy, public interest litigation, or environmental monitoring who require access to the precise legal framework
The Present Publication is the 2025 Edition, covering the amended and updated text of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act [Act No. 6 of 1974] and Rules, with the following noteworthy features:

[Comprehensive Coverage] Full text of the Water Act 1974 as amended, and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules 1975, including recent amendments (up to 2025)
[Recent Legislative Developments] Incorporates the latest amendments of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act 2024, reflecting recent policy changes in environmental penalties and regulatory enforcement
[Pre-amendment Provisions] Incorporates the text of provisions as they existed prior to the amendment in the respective amendment footnotes, enabling the reader to understand the legal position before the amendment and its applicability during the pre-amendment period
[Section Notes] Exhaustive, practical notes and explanations under each section, distilling statutory intent, practical implications, and relevant nuances
[Landmark Case Law] Incorporation of significant Supreme Court and High Court judgments, with concise summaries illustrating the evolution and enforcement of water law
[Model Forms & Procedures] Forms and procedural templates as per Rules and Schedules, aiding practical compliance and applications
[Practical Commentary] Includes clarifications, compliance checklists, and stepwise explanations for critical processes such as consent to discharge, sampling, appeals, and penalty provisions
[User-friendly Indexing] Subject index and logical structuring for easy navigation and instant referencing
[Authoritativeness] The book is a trusted statutory reference used by professionals, authorities, and courts, and is compiled as per the latest government notifications
[Practice Orientation] Practical compliance guidance and interpretative aids make this an invaluable desk reference for environmental compliance and litigation
The structure of the book is as follows:

Section-wise Format – The book follows the logical flow of the principal Act, with corresponding rules, model forms, and detailed section notes under each statutory provision
Chapter Headings – The text is broken down into major chapters (Preliminary, Boards, Powers & Functions, Prevention & Control of Pollution, Penalties, Miscellaneous, etc.), mirroring the official structure
Detailed Contents – Each chapter and section is indexed for quick access; section notes and relevant case law are placed immediately after the statutory text for context
Schedules & Forms – All prescribed forms, schedules of fees, and procedural formats are reproduced at the end of the Act and Rules for ready reference
Subject Index – A comprehensive subject index assists with topic-based referencing