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VirWaTest, A Point-of-Use Method for the Detection of Viruses in Water Samples
Published on: May 11, 2019
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Reducing uncertainty in estimating virus reduction by advanced water treatment processes
Charles P Gerba1, Walter Q Betancourt1, Masaaki Kitajima2
1University of Arizona, Water & Energy Sustainable Technology (WEST) Center, 2959 W. Calle Agua Nueva, Tucson, AZ 85745, USA.
Water Research
|February 7, 2018
Summary
Reducing enteric viruses in wastewater is crucial for safe potable reuse. Understanding virus diversity and improving detection methods are key to minimizing uncertainty in treatment effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Wastewater treatment for potable reuse necessitates significant reduction of enteric viruses to ensure public health safety.
- Advanced water treatment processes are employed, but their effectiveness varies based on virus type and concentration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and identify uncertainties in estimating virus concentration and removal during wastewater treatment.
- To highlight research needs for improving the accuracy of virus reduction assessments in potable reuse.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies assessing virus concentration and removal in wastewater treatment.
- Analysis of factors contributing to uncertainty, including viral diversity and detection methods.
Main Results:
- Biological diversity among virus families, genera, and types (e.g., enteroviruses, adenoviruses) is a major source of uncertainty.
- Variability in virus detection and quantification methods impacts removal efficiency estimates.
- Lack of data on virion-to-infectivity ratios and field-scale validation contributes to uncertainty.
Conclusions:
- Reducing uncertainty requires standardized indicators, use of resistant virus surrogates, infectivity data, and field-scale validation.
- Addressing these uncertainties is critical for reliable risk assessments and effective wastewater treatment for potable reuse.
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