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Conventional to Cutting Edge Technologies in Drinking Water Purification - A Review

K.Padmaja, Jyotsna Cherukuri, M.Anji Reddy

Water is the most ubiquitous liquid on our planet that is precious and vital to all life forms. The growth of industrialisation, urbanisation and a number of anthropogenic activities has made drinking water vulnerable and is posing a challenge to drinking water purification. In this paper a review of various purification methods are presented beginning with the conventional methods like activated carbon, activated alumina, silica, diatomaceous earth etc. to the latest techniques using nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes and nanocomposites. Break through techniques like thin films, quantum dots and aerogels in the purification of drinking water are cited. As each method has its own advantages and limitations in terms of removing contaminants, efficiency and cost effectiveness a blend of techniques is considered to be more beneficial than using a single technique.