The objective of this review is to discuss the various methods of treating effluents from the textile industry. Several countries, including India, have introduced strict ecological standards for textile industries. With more stringent controls expected in the future, it is essential that control measures be implemented to minimize pollution problems. Industrial textile processing comprises pretreatment, dyeing, printing, and finishing operations. These production processes not only consume large amounts of energy and water, but they also produce substantial waste products. This review combines a discussion of different types of dyes from textile wet processing industry, with a discussion of advanced methods of effluent treatment, such as Membrane filtration, Coagulation/flocculation, Sorption and ion exchange, Electrolysis, Advanced oxidation processes and Biological techniques. © 2012 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.