Drinking Water Purification Techniques and the Emerging Environmental Challenges

Nur Atikah Abdul Salim; Wilson Lee Hua Xuan; Nur Aina Farzana Asruzi; Noorul Hudai Abdullah; Nor Arbani Sean; Nur Sumaiyyah Supian; Fatin Zafirah Mansur

Authors

Nur Atikah Abdul Salim School of Occupational Safety and Health, Netherlands Maritime University College, Johor Bahru, 80888 Ibrahim International Business District Johor, Johor, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2205-1592
Wilson Lee Hua Xuan School of Occupational Safety and Health, Netherlands Maritime University College, Johor Bahru, 80888 Ibrahim International Business District Johor, Johor, Malaysia
Nur Aina Farzana Asruzi School of Occupational Safety and Health, Netherlands Maritime University College, Johor Bahru, 80888 Ibrahim International Business District Johor, Johor, Malaysia
Noorul Hudai Abdullah Faculty of Civil Engineering, Centre for Diploma Studies, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 84600 Muar, Johor, Malaysia
Nor Arbani Sean Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Nur Sumaiyyah Supian Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Fatin Zafirah Mansur Department of Energy & Environmental, Faculty of Civil Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, 26300, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Keywords:

Drinking Water Treatment, Public Health, Challenge, Emerging Pollutants, Future Perspective, Purification

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.