Global industrialization and urbanization have led to
a surge in
wastewater production, with the industrial sector accounting for 22%
of global water consumption. Regrettably, up to 80% of treated industrial
effluent is discharged directly into water bodies, posing severe environmental
contamination risks. This underscores the critical necessity for sustainable
wastewater management. Among the industries that consume large amounts
of water is the automotive. Automotive wastewater, primarily from
emulsion and paint processes, contains toxic substances such as paints,
metals, and organic compounds. Additionally, dyestuffs and paints
contribute to environmental challenges due to their toxicity and slow
degradation. This review explores different wastewater treatment approaches,
including physicochemical, biological, and membrane technologies,
to tackle the complexity of automotive wastewater. Physico-chemical
methods effectively remove pollutants but generate sludge. Biological
treatments face challenges related to heavy metals and nonbiodegradable
compounds. Membrane separation, particularly forward osmosis, shows
potential as an energy-efficient solution. The review addresses challenges
in automotive wastewater treatment, like sludge management and heavy
metal inhibition. Advanced approaches, such as enzyme-based treatments
and natural materials like banana peels, and zeolites natural and
synthetic are discussed for their potential to enhance efficiency.
This article offers insights into the current state of automotive
wastewater treatment, emphasizing the need for green solutions to
protect public health and the environment.