Wastewater treatment is one of the key areas in the field of environmental protection and sustainable water resources management. Along with traditional pollutants, micropollutants - pharmaceutical compounds, hormones, pesticides, microplastics, and nanoparticles - are of increasing concern, as they are poorly removed by existing technologies. This paper presents an overview of modern wastewater treatment technologies, including mechanical, biological, and physicochemical treatment. Particular attention is paid to innovative methods such as membrane technologies, nanomaterials, photocatalytic and redox processes, as well as digital control technologies. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are noted, as well as the need for their combined use. The article analyzes the key problems that hinder the development of the water treatment industry: high energy and financial costs, obsolescence of infrastructure, formation of sludge, lack of qualified personnel and weak government control. The prospects for the development of the sector are considered, including the introduction of circular economy principles, recycling of treated water, repeated extraction of resources, transition to decentralized treatment systems and sustainable energy sources. A conclusion is made about the need for an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to the design and modernization of treatment systems, which will take into account both technological capabilities and socio-economic and climatic contexts. This condition is key to achieving sustainable development goals in the water sector.
Kudaibergenova et al. (Tue,) studied this question.