Industrial wastewater management in Western Rajasthan: Current practices, environmental impacts and sustainable solutions

Abstract

Industrial wastewater treatment in Western Rajasthan, an arid region struggling with water scarcity and growing pollution, is a critical challenge amid rapid industrial growth in cities like Jodhpur, Pali, Barmer and Jaisalmer. This review synthesizes the current state of wastewater management, focusing on key industries such as textiles, steel, chemicals and cement, which generate effluents rich in heavy metals, organic compounds and suspended solids. Local studies reveal severe contamination of rivers such as Jojari, Luni and Bandi, with heavy metal concentrations exceeding safe limits, posing high risks to ecosystems, agriculture and human health. This review assessed conventional treatment methods (e.g., sedimentation, activated sludge, chemical precipitation) and emerging technologies used in Western Rajasthan, including ZnO nanoparticle photocatalysis (98 % heavy metal removal), Cow dung-derived activated carbon (95 % pollutant degradation) and ultrasonic-assisted electrochemical treatment (97 % color removal). The review also incorporates case studies of local CETPs, highlighting operational performance, treatment gaps and region-specific challenges. These approaches are analyzed for efficacy, scalability and regional applicability, highlighting limitations such as high costs and infrastructure gaps. We propose sustainable, cost-effective strategies leveraging local resources and solar energy to enhance water reuse, mitigate environmental degradation and support industrial growth in this ecologically fragile region.