Wastewater Treatment Technologies

Abstract

Fresh water scarcity is a global challenge, and hence, contamination of water resources through various anthropogenic means such as industrial activities, agricultural, and various domestic activities has become an issue of immense concern. Water pollution as well as the scarcity of fresh water has risen due to the rapidly growing human population and the associated industrialization and urbanization. Wastewater contains various organic and inorganic contaminants with varying compositions depending on the source of the water. Different methods have been employed for the purification and treatment of water for safe discharge into the environment as well human consumption and other uses. The primary essence of wastewater treatment is the removal of inorganic salts, organic compounds, and suspended solids, among others. Various methods are available for wastewater treatment. Some of the methods have been reported to have their inherent limitations most especially the high cost of implementing them. There is therefore pertinent need for more reliable approaches for the treatment of wastewater. This chapter, therefore, presents a review on wastewater treatment technologies. It discusses the various sources of wastewater, conventional and advanced technologies for wastewater treatment, limitations of conventional technologies in wastewater treatment, and the role of nanotechnology in the treatment of wastewater. Finally, recent reports on wastewater treatment technologies are presented as well as future trend.