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Caravel Press
Research and Reviews in Sustainability

Volume 1, 2025, Article 2025.005

Research and Reviews in Sustainability cover

Review

Drinking Water Purification Techniques and the Emerging Environmental Challenges

, , , , , ,

1School of Occupational Safety and Health, Netherlands Maritime University College, Johor Bahru, 80888 Ibrahim International Business District Johor, Johor, Malaysia

2Faculty of Civil Engineering, Centre for Diploma Studies, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 84600 Muar, Johor, Malaysia

3Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

4Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

5Department of Energy & Environmental, Faculty of Civil Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, 26300, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

* Correspondence: Nur Atikah Abdul Salim, [email protected]

Published
11 November 2025
Pages
61-73
Received
11 November 2025
DOI
10.5334/rss.11
Access
Open access, CC BY 4.0
Published 11 November 2025·Pages 61-73doi.org/10.5334/rss.11
Received 11 Nov 2025Open accessunder CC BY 4.0
Download PDF13 pages · 396 KBCheck for updates

Abstract

Water is a fundamental resource vital to the survival and well-being of all living organisms. Ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water has been a central concern of human societies since the earliest civilizations. Over time, the methods and technologies for water treatment have evolved significantly, which reflects advances in science, engineering, and public health. Today, drinking water treatment systems serve as a cornerstone of modern infrastructure and are designed to remove contaminants and safeguard populations against waterborne diseases and environmental pollutants. This paper explores current treatment technologies—including chlorination, flocculation, filtration, biological filtration, adsorption, and emerging technologies and nanotechnology-based approaches—to highlight their effectiveness and limitations. It also examines challenges such as emerging pollutants, temperature fluctuations, toxic sludge generation, and climate change. The discussion underscores the urgent need for innovative technologies, sustainable practices, and robust regulatory frameworks to ensure access to safe and clean drinking water. Addressing these issues is critical in protecting public health and conserving water resources for future generations.

Keywords. Drinking Water Treatment; Public Health; Challenge; Emerging Pollutants; Future Perspective; Purification

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How to cite this article

Abdul Salim, N.A., Xuan, W.L.H., Asruzi, N.A.F., Abdullah, N.H., Sean, N.A., Supian, N.S. and Mansur, F.Z. (2025). 'Drinking Water Purification Techniques and the Emerging Environmental Challenges'. Research and Reviews in Sustainability, 1, pp. 61-73. https://doi.org/10.5334/rss.11

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