Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques

Published date: Sep 30 2025

Journal Title: Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques

Issue title: Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques: Volume 13, Issue 3

Pages: 181 - 189

DOI: 10.18502/jett.v13i3.19291

M Talha Ishfaqyawarktk777@gmail.comDepartment of Civil Engineering, SUIT, Peshawar

Asrhad Aliarshad.civil@suit.edu.pkDepartment of Civil Engineering, SUIT, Peshawar

Khalid Khankhalidkhancivil543@gmail.comDepartment of Civil Engineering, SUIT, Peshawar

M Amir Hamzaamirhamza12438@gmail.comDepartment of Civil Engineering, SUIT, Peshawar

‎ Sadammullahsadamkhanengineering@gmail.comDepartment of Civil Engineering, SUIT, Peshawar

Midrar Khanmidrarkhan41@gmail.comDepartment of Civil Engineering, SUIT, Peshawar

‎ Shamashama.civil@suit.edu.pkDepartment of Civil Engineering, SUIT, Peshawar

The textile industry is Pakistan’s largest industrial sector, contributing 8.5% to GDP and employing nearly 40% of industrial labor. However, this growth has generated significant environmental concerns due to untreated textile wastewater containing dyes, heavy metals, and salts. Conventional treatment methods are costly, energyintensive, and often ineffective, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This research explores the treatability of actual textile effluent from a Peshawar mill in a bench-scale Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor. Under controlled pH and temperature, the system removed as high as 82% COD and 78% BOD₅, with biogas production reaching a maximum of 2.0 m³/day. Notwithstanding such performance, there was still residual high color and salinity, which indicated the necessity for post-treatment. Findings confirm the potential of decentralized, low-cost anaerobic digestion systems for textile wastewater in Pakistan, as relevant to SDGs 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

Keywords: textile wastewater, UASB reactor, anaerobic digestion, biogas production, wastewater treatment in Pakistan

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