<p>Water contamination is a pervasive global issue that endangers both human health and aquatic ecosystems, highlighting the critical need for sustainable and effective pollutant removal methods. This review examines the advancements in heterogeneous photocatalysis, with a particular focus on titanium dioxide (TiO₂) as a promising material for wastewater treatment. Emphasizing visible light-driven TiO₂ photocatalysis, the discussion explores its potential to overcome the limitations of conventional UV-driven systems, providing a more sustainable approach to water remediation. The key attributes of TiO₂, including its high oxidizing power, photochemical stability, non-toxicity, and cost-effectiveness, are detailed alongside recent innovations aimed at enhancing its performance under visible light. The review critically analyzes synthesis techniques, photocatalytic mechanisms, and factors influencing efficiency, offering a comprehensive understanding of the state-of-the-art in this field. Challenges and future directions for optimizing TiO₂-based systems, particularly their integration into real-world applications, are also explored, emphasizing environmental sustainability and scalability. This synthesis of current knowledge seeks to inspire innovative strategies for addressing the pressing global challenge of water pollution through advanced TiO₂ photocatalytic technologies.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>