International Science Community Association Research Journal of Chemical Sciences 2231 - 606X 7 6 2017 06 18 A review on heavy metal contamination of surface water and their health effect with SWOT analysis of removal methods available 13 17 EN Gomathi Elango 1 Department of Chemistry, Jansons Institute of Technology, Tamilnadu, India Rathika G. 2 Department of Chemistry, PSG College of Arts and Science, Tamilnadu, India Deepa M. Audi 1 Department of Chemistry, Dhempe College of Arts and Science, Miramar, Goa, India Ruchi Tamrakar 1 B.I.T. Durg, CG, India Sumita Nair 2 B.I.T. Durg, CG, India > Review Paper 2017 4 8 2017 06 18 One of the major environmental and human health issues is heavy metal contamination of surface water. The persistent heavy metal contamination level in surface water causes deterioration of water quality. Many methods are reported for the removal of heavy metals from water but conventional treatment system are not much effective and use of inexpensive materials for removal can improve the current treatment process. Among the available methods for heavy metal removal adsorption is the most common and feasible in which many low cost adsorbents are used which are collected from agricultural waste, seafood waste, food waste, industrial by-product and soil. SWOT analysis (strength, weakness, opportunities, threat) is also performed on the available methods for heavy metals removal. This tool helps to determine the comparative potential quality of all removal methods available for water and wastewater treatment. Copyright@ International Science Community Association