Neeraj Virdi,
Roberto Acevedo,
- Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Babbar Akali Memorial Khalsa College, Garhshankar, Punjab, India
- Full Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
Abstract
The growing global demand for safe drinking water, coupled with increasing pollution from industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural activities, has intensified the need for efficient and sustainable water purification technologies. Conventional water treatment processes often fail to remove emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, microplastics, endocrine-disrupting compounds, and heavy metals. Advanced water purification technologies—including membrane filtration, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), nanotechnology-based adsorbents, photocatalysis, electrochemical treatment, and bio-inspired purification systems—have emerged as promising solutions for addressing complex water contamination challenges. This review critically examines the principles, efficiency, advantages, and limitations of modern water purification techniques. Comparative analysis of these technologies is provided in terms of removal efficiency, cost, scalability, and environmental sustainability. The review also highlights hybrid treatment approaches and the integration of artificial intelligence and smart monitoring systems for optimizing purification processes. Finally, future perspectives on sustainable water treatment technologies and research challenges are discussed to support global efforts toward safe and accessible clean water.
In recent years, the development of multifunctional materials and innovative system designs has significantly enhanced the performance of water purification technologies. For instance, nanocomposite membranes and functionalized adsorbents have demonstrated superior selectivity and adsorption capacity for trace contaminants. Similarly, photocatalytic materials such as titanium dioxide and graphene-based composites have shown remarkable efficiency in degrading persistent organic pollutants under visible light irradiation. Electrochemical techniques, including capacitive deionization and electrocoagulation, offer energy-efficient alternatives for desalination and pollutant removal, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Moreover, hybrid systems that combine multiple treatment methods—such as membrane filtration coupled with AOPs or biological treatment integrated with electrochemical processes—have proven effective in overcoming the limitations of individual techniques. The incorporation of real-time sensing technologies and machine learning algorithms further enhances process control, enabling predictive maintenance and optimization of treatment efficiency. Despite these advancements, challenges related to high operational costs, membrane fouling, energy consumption, and large-scale implementation persist. Addressing these issues requires interdisciplinary research, policy support, and the development of cost-effective and eco-friendly materials. Such efforts are essential to ensure the long-term sustainability and widespread adoption of advanced water purification technologies.
Keywords: Water purification, advanced oxidation processes, nanotechnology, membrane filtration, sustainable water treatment, emerging contaminants
[This article belongs to Journal of Water Pollution & Purification Research ]
Neeraj Virdi, Roberto Acevedo. Advanced Water Purification Techniques for Sustainable Clean Water Management: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Water Pollution & Purification Research. 2026; 13(01):47-52.
Neeraj Virdi, Roberto Acevedo. Advanced Water Purification Techniques for Sustainable Clean Water Management: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Water Pollution & Purification Research. 2026; 13(01):47-52. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jowppr/article=2026/view=238743
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Journal of Water Pollution & Purification Research
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue | 01 |
| Received | 09/03/2026 |
| Accepted | 17/03/2026 |
| Published | 18/03/2026 |
| Publication Time | 9 Days |
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