ABSTRACT
The textile industry generates all types of pollutants, viz. water, air, soil and noise. Since textile wet processing is a water-intensive process, it generates an equally large volume of liquid effluent. The effluent is mostly intensively coloured and highly alkaline due to the presence of unspent dyes, chemicals and auxiliaries. If untreated effluent is discharged into the environment, it pollutes the water bodies and soil.
This chapter deals with the management of liquid waste generated during the wet processing of textiles. Water consumption in wet processing, sources of effluent generation, characteristics of various process effluents and their adverse effects on the environment have been discussed. The general approach to the problem of pollution abatement, including a reduction in waste volume and waste load with simultaneous recovery and reuse of water and chemicals, has been explained. Standard limits from pollution control board and their purpose has been described. The conventional treatment technologies used to treat textile effluents have been discussed. Various disposal methods for the textile effluent and problems faced by the industry have also been discussed.
