One of the biggest challenges in wastewater treatment is the effective removal of emerging contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and microplastics. These contaminants are not typically targeted by traditional treatment processes and can persist through conventional wastewater treatment systems.
Their presence in treated effluent can have potential ecological and human health impacts when discharged into water bodies or reused for non-potable purposes. Developing and implementing advanced treatment technologies capable of removing these emerging contaminants is crucial for improving the overall effectiveness of wastewater treatment.