Turbidity as a Barrier to Water Treatment: A Review of Current and Emerging Removal Technologies, Advantages and Limitations

Turbidity remains a persistent water quality challenge with significant impacts on public health, ecosystems, and economies. In water treatment plants, turbidity can negatively affect downstream process efficiency by clogging filters, scaling equipment, and reducing flow rates, ultimately leading to higher operational and maintenance costs. Turbidity is primarily caused by suspended particles that reduce water clarity, originating from sources such as stormwater discharges, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents. A variety of treatment techniques, both conventional and emerging, have been developed globally to address turbidity. This review critically examines selected methods from both categories. Conventional approaches, including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, adsorption, and membrane-based technologies, have long provided reliable solutions but are constrained by drawbacks such as excessive sludge generation, chemical dependence, and reduced efficiency under variable raw water conditions. In contrast, emerging methods, such as nanotechnology-based processes, electrocoagulation, advanced oxidation, and hybrid systems, offer higher efficiency and selectivity, though they remain largely limited to pilot-scale applications, with high costs and operational complexity hindering widespread adoption. This review outlines the strengths and limitations of both conventional and modern turbidity removal methods, and highlights future directions for developing resilient and equitable water treatment systems.