Risk control technologies for emerging contaminants in drinking water: A review and perspective

The escalation of industrial activity has made emerging contaminants (ECs) in drinking water a critical global environmental issue. These pollutants are characterized by their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and significant toxicity even at low concentrations, posing severe risks to ecosystems and public health. Conventional water treatment processes are often inadequate for ECs removal: while techniques like coagulation show efficacy against certain contaminants, they generally fail to eliminate dissolved, low-molecular-weight ECs. More concerningly, technologies such as disinfection can transform these contaminants into even more toxic byproducts. In response, advanced strategies including material modifications (e.g., adsorbent optimization) and advanced oxidation processes have emerged, leveraging distinct mechanisms to enhance removal efficiency. This review systematically consolidates recent advances in using coagulation, adsorption, filtration, and oxidation for ECs removal, outlines strategies to augment conventional systems, and elucidates the synergistic mechanisms of integrated, full-scale treatment trains essential for mitigating systemic environmental risks. In addition, future research focus is also critically discussed. By synthesizing these developments, this work provides a scientific foundation for designing safer, more resilient drinking water infrastructure. In comparison with the previous reviews, it establishes critical correlations between contaminant properties and removal mechanisms, and evaluates the efficient ECs removal by the full-process treatment system.