law: Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
  16. Functions of Central Board.
  
  (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the
  
  main function of the Central Board shall be to promote cleanliness of streams
  
  and wells in different areas of the States.
  (2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing
  
  function, the Central Board may perform all or any of the following functions,
  
  namely :-
  (a) advice the Central
  
  Government on any matter concerning the prevention and control of water
  
  pollution;
  (b) co-ordinate the
  
  activities of the State Boards and resolve disputes among them;
  (c) provide technical assistance and guidance to the State Boards, carry out
  
  and sponsor investigations and research relating to problems of water pollution
  
  and prevention, control or abatement of water pollution;
  (d) plan and organize
  
  the training of persons engaged or to be engaged in programmes for the
  
  prevention, control or abatement of water pollution on such terms and
  
  conditions as the Central Board may specify;
  (e) organize through
  
  mass media a comprehensive programme regarding the prevention and control of
  
  water pollution;
  (ee) perform such of
  
  the functions of any State Boards as may be specified in an order made under
  
  sub-section (2) of section 18;
  (f) collect, compile
  
  and publish technical and statistical data relating to water pollution and the
  
  measures devised for its effective prevention and control and prepare manuals,
  
  codes or guides relating to treatment and disposal of sewage and trade
  
  effluents and disseminate information connected therewith;
  (g) lay down, modify
  
  or annual, in consultation with the State Government concerned, the standards
  
  for a stream or well :
  Provided that different
  
  standards may be laid down for the same stream or well or for different streams
  
  or wells, having regard to the quality of water, flow characteristics of the
  
  stream or well and the nature of the use of the water in such stream or well or
  
  streams or wells;
  (h) plan and cause to
  
  be executed a nation-wide programme for the prevention, control or abatement of
  
  water pollution;
  (i) perform such other
  
  functions as may be prescribed.
  (3) The Board may establish or recognize a
  
  laboratory or laboratories to enable the Board to perform its functions under
  
  this section efficiently, including the analysis of samples of water from any
  
  stream or well or of samples of any sewage or trade effluents.