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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

EPA Method 1615. Measurement of Enterovirus and Norovirus Occurrence in Water by Culture and RT-qPCR. Part III. Virus Detection by RT-qPCR
Published on: January 16, 2016
Viral and bacterial contamination in recreational waters: a case study in the Lisbon bay area
A M Silva1, H Vieira2, N Martins1
1Faculty of Engineering, Catholic University of Portugal, Estrada Octávio Pato, Rio de Mouro, Portugal.
Aims:
To assess the presence of viral pathogens in bathing water samples and to evaluate the interdependency of bacterial indicator counts and viral detection.
Methods And Results:
Bathing water samples of 16 beaches collected along a Portuguese Coastal area were screened for the hepatitis A virus (HAV) and norovirus genogroup I (NVGI) using RT-PCR technique. Bacteriological water quality was also assessed, according to European regulations. HAV and NVGI were detected in 95% and 27% of the water samples, respectively, whereas bacteriological quality was good in all but one sample, according to current water quality regulations.
Conclusions:
All water samples would be considered of excellent quality according to the most recent European regulations. No relationship between viral detection and regulatory-based bacterial indicators was found.
Significance And Impact Of The Study:
The current results reinforce the importance of increased surveillance for pathogenic viruses in bathing waters.
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