Enforcement of effluent water quality standards is accomplished by, 1) notification to the factory that installation or modification of equipment for wastewater treatment in the facility is necessary, 2) preliminary examination of submitted documents followed by local governmental orders to change plans or to improve the wastewater treatment facility, 3) punishing those responsible for violation of effluent water quality standards, and 4) ordering improvement to the wastewater treatment facility of any factory in violation of the standards.
The following Figure shows the procedures for implementing effluent water quality standards. Preliminary notice to the prefectural governor is required before installing or modifying any specified facilities in a factory. Wastewater treatment plans and effluent water quality documents are examined by the prefectural government to see if the factory is in compliance. The government can order the factory to change their plans to improve wastewater treatment facilities if the effluent quality is not meeting the standards. Discharge of wastewater that does not meet the standard is strictly prohibited. The prefectural governor can order wastewater treatment facility improvement including a temporary termination of wastewater discharge, i. e. shutdown of the factory. Factories are required to monitor and record their effluent water quality on a daily basis and these records are inspected by the government.
Figure: Procedure for implementation of water quality effluent standards |
