The occurrence and control of waterborne viruses in drinking water treatment: A review

Li Chen; Yang Deng; Shengkun Dong; Hong Wang; Pan Li; Huaiyu Zhang; Wenhai Chu

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130728

The occurrence and control of waterborne viruses in drinking water treatment: A review

Chemosphere. 2021 Oct:281:130728. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130728. Epub 2021 Apr 30.

Authors

Li Chen¹, Yang Deng², Shengkun Dong³, Hong Wang¹, Pan Li¹, Huaiyu Zhang⁴, Wenhai Chu⁵

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Tongji University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, China.
² Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, USA.
³ Key LLaboratory of Water Cycle and Water Security in Southern China of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, China.
⁴ Central and Southern China Institute of Municipal Engineering Design and Research, Hubei, China.
⁵ State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Tongji University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: feedwater@126.com.

Abstract

As the coronavirus disease 2019 continues to spread globally, its culprit, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has been brought under scrutiny. In addition to inhalation transmission, the possible fecal-oral viral transmission via water/wastewater has also been brought under the spotlight, necessitating a timely global review on the current knowledge about waterborne viruses in drinking water treatment system - the very barrier that intercepts waterborne pathogens to terminal water users. In this article we reviewed the occurrence, concentration methods, and control strategies, also, treatment performance on waterborne viruses during drinking water treatment were summarized. Additionally, we emphasized the potential of applying the quantitative microbial risk assessment to guide drinking water treatment to mitigate the viral exposure risks, especially when the unregulated novel viral pathogens are of concern. This review paves road for better control of viruses at drinking water treatment plants to protect public health.

Keywords: Conventional and emerging disinfection processes; Drinking water treatment; Waterborne viruses.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Drinking Water*
Humans
SARS-CoV-2
Viruses*
Water Microbiology
Water Purification*

Substances

Drinking Water