The treatment of groundwater using ultrafiltration (uf) and nanofiltration (nf) membranes faces significant challenges, primarily revolving around achieving a balance between selectivity and permeability while minimizing fouling. these issues often limit the practical applications of uf and nf membranes in removing specific contaminants. addressing these challenges, a novel thin-film composite (tfc)-nf membrane has been developed. this advanced membrane integrates a highly permeable uf substrate composed of sulfonic acid-functionalized graphene oxide (sgo) and polyethersulfone (pes), demonstrating superior performance and potential for practical applications in groundwater treatment. one of the key advancements of this membrane lies in its enhanced permeability. in cross-flow operational mode, the pes-sgo-tfc membrane exhibits a fourfold increase in pure water permeability compared to the pristine pes-tfc membrane, achieving an impressive value of 3.09 lmh bar⁻¹. this significant improvement is attributed to the synergistic properties of sgo and pes, which work together to create a highly permeable and efficient uf substrate. the incorporation of sgo introduces a highly hydrophilic and functionalized surface, improving water flux while maintaining structural integrity. beyond permeability, the membrane effectively mitigates fouling, a critical limitation in conventional membranes. the pes-sgo-tfc membrane exhibits a low adsorption of bovine serum albumin (bsa), a common foulant, and achieves a flux recovery rate exceeding 95%. this outstanding performance is attributed to the enhanced hydrophilicity of the sgo component, which reduces protein adherence and allows for easier cleaning. this makes the membrane particularly attractive for long-term operational stability in groundwater remediation processes. a notable feature of this novel membrane is its enhanced negative surface charge, which plays a crucial role in its ability to selectively remove contaminants. at a neutral ph, the membrane achieves removal efficiencies of approximately 89% for cr(vi), 99% for as(v), and 78% for fluoride. these contaminants are of significant concern in groundwater due to their adverse health and environmental impacts. the membrane’s ability to target and efficiently remove these ions demonstrates its tailored design for addressing specific pollution issues. the pes-sgo-tfc membrane’s performance extends beyond controlled laboratory conditions. when tested in a simulated groundwater matrix, the membrane retains its high removal efficiencies for cr(vi), as(v), and fluoride ions, confirming its robustness and applicability in real-world scenarios. this adaptability highlights its potential for deployment in diverse groundwater treatment applications, from municipal water supplies to industrial effluents. the innovative design of the pes-sgo-tfc membrane offers a practical solution to the long-standing challenges of selectivity-permeability trade-offs and fouling in uf and nf membranes. by integrating advanced materials such as sgo, the membrane not only enhances permeability and fouling resistance but also achieves high contaminant removal efficiencies. its excellent performance in simulated groundwater environments underscores its potential for scalable and sustainable applications in water purification. in conclusion, the pes-sgo-tfc membrane represents a significant advancement in groundwater remediation technology. its optimized combination of permeability, fouling resistance, and selectivity positions it as a promising candidate for addressing critical challenges in water treatment, paving the way for more effective, scalable and reliable solutions to global water contamination issues.