JYOTI AND RASHMI SHARMA
Abstract
Indiaâs textile industry, while pivotal to the economy, significantly contributes to groundwater pollution due to the discharge of untreated and poorly treated wastewater. This systematic review synthesizes existing literature on groundwater contamination caused by the textile industry in India, analyzing contaminant pathways, types, regional case studies, regulatory mechanisms, technological interventions, and research gaps. Findings reveal widespread contamination from heavy metals, synthetic dyes, surfactants, and emerging pollutants across industrial hubs such as Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Although India has implemented environmental legislation, enforcement remains inconsistent, and small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) struggle with compliance. Promising remediation strategies like bioremediation, advanced oxidation processes, and zero-liquid discharge systems have yet to scale due to technical and economic barriers. The paper identifies gaps in long-term monitoring, source tracking, and health risk assessments, calling for integrated regulatory frameworks, improved groundwater monitoring, and investment in sustainable technologies.