The release of toxic effluents into water bodies over the past few decades have upsurged, making access to drinkable water difficult. Water is the most sought-after resource for sustaining not only humans but wildlife and aquatic life and is imperial for economic growth and development. Rapid industrialisation, agricultural expansion as well as inconsiderate human activities are some of the factors liable for the present increase in water pollution and water insecurity plaguing the 21st century. In a bid to address this challenge, conventional water treatment methods like membrane filtration, chemical coagulation, activated carbon adsorption, etc., have been implemented. Consequently, the limitations resulting from these conventional methods in terms of their limited active sites, low sorption capacity, lack of selectivity, and short adsorption to regeneration cycle, has led to the unfolding of innovative, cost-effective, ecologically sustainable and efficient wastewater treatment technologies. Among these technologies, nanotechnology and biotechnology have separately played significant roles. This review is centred on nano-based absorbents materials used in wastewater and effluent treatment.