Abstract
It is important to evaluate the removal of enteric viruses by drinking water treatment processes so that viral infection risk can be assessed and managed. However, evaluating the removal of enteric viruses by full-scale treatment processes can be challenging due to the low numbers of viruses and the presence of substances in the water samples that inhibit detection. In this study, we evaluated the removal of pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) by microfiltration (MF) and slow sand filtration (SSF) at two full-scale drinking water treatment plants in Japan, quantifying virus concentrations with real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The removal of PMMoV by MF ranged from 0.0 to >0.9 log10, although concentrations were below the detection limit for half of the treated water samples. SSF removed PMMoV by up to 2.8 log10; however, the removal efficiency decreased to 0.0–1.0 log10 under cold water temperatures. Process control showed that nucleic acid extraction and qPCR efficiency were inhibited in nearly 40% of water samples. Dilution, DAX-8, and ferrihydrite treatments for purification were effective in mitigating these inhibitory effects.
Highlights
Human enteric viruses, which are excreted in high number in the feces of infected people, have frequently been found in water sources such as surface water and groundwater.[1,2,3,4] These viruses are relatively resistant to water treatment processes and have occasionally been detected in treated drinking water and tap water, including in Brazil, China, Japan, Korea, and Ghana.[5,6,7,8,9] This is a public health concern because only a few viral particles can result in disease.[10]
To ensure drinking water is safe from viral contamination, ideally the presence of pathogenic viruses should be monitored in finished drinking water
The assessment of viral infection risk in drinking water supplies is essential for protecting public health
Summary
Human enteric viruses, which are excreted in high number in the feces of infected people, have frequently been found in water sources such as surface water and groundwater.[1,2,3,4] These viruses are relatively resistant to water treatment processes and have occasionally been detected in treated drinking water and tap water, including in Brazil, China, Japan, Korea, and Ghana.[5,6,7,8,9] This is a public health concern because only a few viral particles can result in disease.[10]. To ensure drinking water is safe from viral contamination, ideally the presence of pathogenic viruses should be monitored in finished drinking water. This is not practical or feasible because determining the safety level of drinking water requires large water samples (104–105 L).[14] In addition, there are methodological limitations to discriminate between infectious and noninfectious viruses in water samples.[15,16] the assessment of viral infection risk in drinking water supplies is essential for protecting public health
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