Recent advances in wastewater treatment technologies: Innovations and new insights

Wastewater often contains toxic organic pollutants that can have adverse effects on human health and aquatic life upon exposure. Rapid urbanization and technological advancements have led to the growth of various industries, such as agriculture, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, all of which consume substantial amounts of water and generate complex wastewater compositions during the manufacturing process. As a result, large volumes of these wastewaters are difficult to treat due to the wide variation in composition, including dyes, pharmaceutical waste, organic matter, residual contaminants, and hazardous or inhibitory substances. Conventional wastewater treatment methods have been increasingly challenged and are often failing to meet the required criteria. Consequently, there is a pressing need for innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable solutions, which has accelerated the development of advanced wastewater treatment technologies. This review article first outlines the role of technology in wastewater treatment. Then, it provides an overview of the recent advances in removing various pollutants such as organic compounds, heavy metals, pharmaceutical, and pesticides from wastewater and strategies that enhance efficacy, affordability, and sustainability. Finally, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for process monitoring and optimization is explored. Ultimately, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of wastewater treatment technologies and their potential to contribute to a more sustainable future by integrating new insights from recent research.