Sustainable Waste Water Treatment: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

Exponential increase in population has led to the release of large amounts of unregulated and untreated wastewater into water bodies such as rivers, lakes, streams, and estuaries causing various environmental and health issues. Traditionally various procedures are applied for the treatment of wastewater at the local and municipality level. Due to the increased need and development of newer technologies, it is necessary to understand all the available procedures and evaluate their efficiency. In the present review, all the important methods involved in the treatment of wastewater and its monitoring have been comprehensively discussed and compared along with their advantages and disadvantages. Information will not only help in understanding the treatment of wastewater but it will also help in developing procedures for the reuse of treated water for various alternative purposes.

Keywords:
Wastewater; Primary treatment; Secondary treatment; Tertiary treatment; Reuse of treated wastewater

HIGHLIGHTS

• Wastewater treatment and monitoring strategies.

• Comparative analysis of wastewater treatment processes.

• Reuse of wastewater for alternate purposes: opportunities and challenges.