This paper reviews the literature on uranium contamination and the removal of uranium from wastewater stemming from mining activities and nuclear power generation. After reviewing the applications of uranium in power generation, military, industry and scientific, this review discusses uranium and rare earth elements in wastewaters and the toxicity of uranium on aquatic life and humans. Further, various methods of removal of heavy metal contaminants including uranium are reviewed with special focus on the adsorption process and carbon nanotubes as a superior adsorbent.