Because of this variability, the primary process for the inactivation of viruses in wastewater treatment is chemical disinfection (e.g., chlorination) and/or by ultraviolet light.ĭrinking water treatment is an effective barrier In general, secondary wastewater treatment is credited with removing 1-log (90 percent) of viruses, though broad studies suggest the level of virus removal is highly variable, ranging from insignificant to greater than 2-log removal (99 percent). Most detection methods are designed and optimized for non-enveloped enteric viruses, and there just isn’t enough information available. The lack of detection methods for these strains of viruses is a main reason this type of information is still relatively unknown. Wastewater is treated by a variety of processes to reduce the pollution impacts on nearby receiving waters (lakes, rivers) and disinfected.Ĭurrently, major data gaps exist on the potential role of the water cycle in the spread of enveloped viruses. Wastewater treatment plants receiving sewage from hospitals and isolation centers treating coronavirus patients - and domestic sewage from areas of known large contamination - may have elevated concentrations of viruses. Typically, human waste entering a sewage system is carried through an underground pipe system to a municipal treatment plant. Information for wastewater treatment plant operators While wastewater treatment does reduce virus levels, infective human viruses are often detected in wastewater treatment plant effluent. Wastewater effluents would possibly impact recreation, irrigation, and drinking waters. Utilities would need to respond rapidly to minimize occupational and public health risks based on the available evidence. Should a major virus pandemic occur, wastewater and drinking water treatment industries would face increased scrutiny. Findings suggest that COVID-19 can be transmitted through human waste. For a coronavirus to be transferred via the water cycle, it must have the ability to survive in human waste, retain its infectivity, and come in contact with another person - most likely via aerosols. Human viruses do not replicate in the environment. Therefore, coronavirus is expected to be reduced in raw wastewater and surface waters in warmer seasons. Results from bench-scale studies suggest that the survival of coronaviruses is temperature dependent, with greater survival at lower temperatures. coli, phage, or poliovirus - which are commonly used as surrogates for treatment performance evaluations. And real-life experiences will vary due to water quality and treatment plant details.Īccording to a 2008 University of Arizona study, coronaviruses have not been found to be more resistant to water treatment than other microorganisms such as E. The long answer: This is a new virus without an extensive body of literature on the effectiveness of water and wastewater treatment processes. The short answer: No - if we take proper precautions and risk considerations. So, what is the fate of coronavirus in sewage and wastewater treatment plants? Or in the aquatic environment? And should we be worried about the efficacy of water treatment filtration and disinfection processes for coronavirus removal and inactivation?
COVID-19 is a new variety of coronavirus and is an enveloped, single-stranded (positive-sense) RNA virus. Three of these - MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and COVID-19 - emerged in the last 20 years and are examples of how some coronaviruses that infect animals can evolve to infect humans. Currently, seven coronaviruses are known to infect people and make them ill. With the potential for environmental transmission, water and wastewater operators need to know the potential for survival of this type of virus in water and wastewater treatment systems.Ĭoronaviruses, named for the crown-like spikes on their surface, were first identified in the mid-1960s. Modern water and wastewater treatment systems play an important role in public health protection. The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling it “public enemy number one.” But what information do we have that is related to coronaviruses in water and wastewater systems? And what can water- and wastewater-system operators do to protect public health? The recent outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV or COVID-19) has dominated news cycles in recent weeks. By Nicole McLellan, David Pernitsky, and Arthur Umble The spikes on the surface of coronaviruses give this virus family its name - corona, which is Latin for “crown.”Īs the global health community tracks the spread of this virus, it’s important for water and wastewater professionals to keep updated on potential impacts.
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