SARS-CoV-2 genetic material is removed during municipal wastewater treatment and is undetectable after advanced treatment

Polanco, Julio; Schmitz, Bradley W.; Choi, Samuel; Safarik, Jana; Prasek, Sarah M.; Plumlee, Megan H.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159575

Cited by 6 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…35,38 Notably, the SARS-COV-2 RNA levels were relatively lower from April–June 2021 and September–November 2021, which corresponded well with the initiation of vaccination in the study area and the decline in daily incident COVID-19 cases after the third wave, respectively. 34…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…25,28 In addition, previous studies reported that coronaviruses could be aerosolized at the pre-treatment stages or diffused with droplets, particularly through the pumping and movement of wastewater. 27,34 A recent quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) study conducted at the inlet of WWTPs indicated that workers involved in the manual cleaning of coarse screening may potentially be exposed to aerosols and could be at risk of infections; 55 however, a recent epidemiological analysis found no increased risk of being affected by COVID-19 due to exposure to wastewaters contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 under the working conditions confronted by WWTPs' workers. 26 High concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA are normally detected in raw influent samples worldwide during the peak of outbreaks, including the current study.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…31,[39][40][41] However, the process control virus recovery efficiencies could differ among studies due to variations in characteristics of wastewater, the volume used for processing the samples, and the virus concentration methods applied. 3,34,37,42 For instance, Randazzo et al 2020 42 reported that the recovery efficiency of process controls viz PEDV (porcine coronavirus) and MgV (mengovirus) using an aluminum hydroxide adsorption-precipitation concentration method was 10 ± 3.5% and 10 ± 2.1% for raw inuents and 3.3 ± 1.6% and 6.2 ± 1.0% for nal effluents, respectively; while Polanco et al 2023 34 reported a higher recovery (27.2%) of process controls using F6 phage (phi6 phage) in effluent samples aer an ultraviolet advanced oxidation process.…”

Section: Recovery Of Bcov In Wastewater Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…35,38 Notably, the SARS-COV-2 RNA levels were relatively lower from April-June 2021 and September-November 2021, which corresponded well with the initiation of vaccination in the study area and the decline in daily incident COVID-19 cases aer the third wave, respectively. 34 Using the 7 day average of clinical COVID-19 cases reported on the wastewater sample collection date, the correlation between average weekly SARS-CoV-2 N1 and N2 concentrations in raw inuent samples and the weekly moving average of reported COVID-19 cases in the sewershed area was determined. A signicant positive correlation was observed between the weekly average COVID-19 cases and concentrations of N1 and N2 in raw wastewater (Spearman rank correlation coefficient r = 0.75 for N1; r = 0.64 for N2, p <0.001).…”

Section: Sars-cov-2 Rna Detection In Raw Wastewater and Comparison Wi...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…5,29,30 It has been reported that viral loads are signicantly reduced by conventional wastewater treatment processes; however, information on the reduction of SARS-CoV-2 RNA is still limited. 13,[30][31][32][33][34] Additional studies are required to demonstrate the role of WWTPs in removal of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the effluents from secondary and/or tertiary treatments and to verify whether additional treatments are needed to protect the receiving environments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Wastewater-based surveillance of COVID-19 and removal of SARS-CoV-2 RNA across a major wastewater treatment plant in San Antonio, Texas

Al-Duroobi

Vadde

Phan

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci.: Adv.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Recovery Of Bcov In Wastewater Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sars-cov-2 Rna Detection In Raw Wastewater and Comparison Wi...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Wastewater-based surveillance of COVID-19 and removal of SARS-CoV-2 RNA across a major wastewater treatment plant in San Antonio, Texas

Al-Duroobi

Vadde

Phan

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci.: Adv.

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Wastewater treatment risks and challenges for public health and the environment during the Covid‐19 pandemic: a review

Kokkinos

Venieri

Mantzavinos

2023

J of Chemical Tech & Biotech

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During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), viral transport, fate, disinfection and environmental release in wastewater treatment plants have been issues of high importance for overall management. Although a huge number of scientific publications related to coronaviruses have been published, the number of studies on different aspects of wastewater treatment strategies to deal with SARS‐CoV‐2 abatement is still relatively limited and results are often confusing. To define real wastewater risks for public health and the environment, we have performed a systematic review and identified 96 papers from the PubMed database. We focused on SARS‐CoV‐2 wastewater treatments and how the type and level of treatments affect the virological quality of the effluents, the role of disinfectants, the treatment of medical wastewater, the role of new technologies, as well as the wastewater treatment in low‐ and middle‐income countries. It was concluded that, in general, well‐designed and well‐functioning wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and on‐site reliable sanitation systems may significantly limit the risk of SARS‐CoV‐2. The development of cost‐effective decentralized water and wastewater treatment facilities for low‐ and middle‐income countries for the abatement of coronaviruses should be enhanced. Lessons learned during the COVID‐19 pandemic with regard to wastewater treatment are expected to support an improved detection, response and containment of future viral disease outbreaks. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

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A snapshot of SARS‐CoV‐2 viral RNA throughout wastewater treatment plants in Arkansas

Long,

Loethen,

Behzadnezhad

et al. 2024

Water Environment Research

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The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) can spread the viral RNA in wastewater by the feces of those experience COVID‐19 symptoms. While wastewater monitoring of SARS‐CoV‐2 in the raw sewage has been confirmed as an effective tool to predict COVID‐19 infection, the goal of this study is to assess the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 viral RNA throughout various wastewater treatment processes. Wastewater samples were collected from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the state of Arkansas from August 2020 to June 2021 and measured for the relative concentration of SARS‐CoV‐2 viral RNA using RT‐qPCR. The gene concentrations in the raw wastewater measured in this study were similar to other published studies, targeting the N1 and N2 genes of the virus. The viral RNA concentration was measured after each wastewater treatment step within WWTPs, including primary sedimentation, activated sludge, filtration and disinfection. Results show the most viral RNA removal occurred in the secondary treatment (activated sludge). The viral RNA was only occasionally detected after disinfection (chlorination or UV disinfection). Overall, WWTPs can remove the SARS‐CoV‐2 viral RNA at an average of 98.7%, while complete removal was achieved on 82% of the sampling days. Further investigation is required to ensure complete viral RNA removal from wastewater such as improving existing treatment process or supplementing with additional treatment steps.Practitioner Points The viral RNA of SARS‐CoV‐2 was detected in Arkansas wastewater treatment plants. SARS‐CoV‐2 was rarely detected in treated effluent from wastewater treatment plants. Activated sludge was effective removing SARS‐CoV‐2 viral RNA from wastewater. This study was limited by the direct RNA extraction from wastewater, which lowered the sensitivity of detection.

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SARS-CoV-2 genetic material is removed during municipal wastewater treatment and is undetectable after advanced treatment

Cited by 6 publications

References 15 publications

Wastewater-based surveillance of COVID-19 and removal of SARS-CoV-2 RNA across a major wastewater treatment plant in San Antonio, Texas

Wastewater-based surveillance of COVID-19 and removal of SARS-CoV-2 RNA across a major wastewater treatment plant in San Antonio, Texas

Wastewater treatment risks and challenges for public health and the environment during the Covid‐19 pandemic: a review

A snapshot of SARS‐CoV‐2 viral RNA throughout wastewater treatment plants in Arkansas

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