Removal and Inactivation of Cryptosporidium from Water

Abstract

Water is a major route of transmission for Cryptosporidium and oocysts commonly occur in surface and recreational waters as a consequence of fecal contamination from Wildlife or anthroponotic sources. There are many characteristics possessed by Cryptosporidium oocysts that allow them to persist in aquatic environments, including recreational waters, and to bypass water treatment processes. These types of events lead to outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis, caused by direct exposure to contaminated recreational water (such as swimming pools) or by drinking contaminated potable water. Previous chapters have discussed the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium in relation to waterborne transmission and also the sources and presence of oocysts in drinking and recreational waters. This chapter will review the processes contributing to the removal and inactivation of Cryptosporidium oocysts from surface waters and wastewaters, including natural processes that occur in surface waters and engineered processes used for the production of drinking water or for the treatment of wastewater.