Communities In Wastewater Treatment Plants Research Articles

Global diversity of airborne pathogenic bacteria and fungi from wastewater treatment plants

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been recognized as one of the major potential sources of the spread of airborne pathogenic microorganisms under the global pandemic of COVID-19. The differences in research regions, wastewater treatment processes, environmental conditions, and other aspects in the existing case studies have caused some confusion in the understanding of bioaerosol pollution characteristics. In this study, we integrated and analyzed data from field sampling and performed a systematic literature search to determine the abundance of airborne microorganisms in 13 countries and 37 cities across four continents (Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa). We analyzed the concentrations of bioaerosols, the core composition, global diversity, determinants, and potential risks of airborne pathogen communities in WWTPs. Our findings showed that the culturable bioaerosol concentrations of global WWTPs are 102–105 CFU/m3. Three core bacterial pathogens, namely Bacillus, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas, as well as two core fungal pathogens, Cladosporium and Aspergillus, were identified in the air across global WWTPs. WWTPs have unique core pathogenic communities and distinct continental divergence. The sources of airborne microorganisms (wastewater) and environmental variables (relative humidity and air contaminants) have impacts on the distribution of airborne pathogens. Potential health risks are associated with the core airborne pathogens in WWTPs. Our study showed the specificity, multifactorial influences, and potential pathogenicity of airborne pathogenic communities in WWTPs. Our findings can improve the understanding of the global diversity and biogeography of airborne pathogens in WWTPs, guiding risk assessment and control strategies for such pathogens. Furthermore, they provide a theoretical basis for safeguarding the health of WWTP workers and ensuring regional ecological security.

Operation of a Pilot-Scale Biogas Plant Made of Textile Materials and Application of Its Results to a Full-Sized Demonstration Plant

In small German farms, there is a technically usable potential of cattle manure and pig manure ranging from 153 to 187 million tons of fresh matter per year. Since 2021 and 2023, new incentives under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) have been promoting biogas production in small farms. These incentives, applicable to biogas plants up to 150 kWel, include direct compensations for plants up to 100 kWel and market premiums for those up to 150 kWel. A small biogas plant made of textile materials was designed for both pilot and full-scale applications. Compared to conventional concrete biogas reactors, these textile-based reactors offer a simplified construction and operation, eliminating the need for specialized civil engineering. The primary objective of this research is to demonstrate the process engineering feasibility of biogas reactors based on textile materials for small farm biogas plants (30 to 75 kWel). Another goal is to design the construction method in such a way that this type of system can be built by farmers themselves after type testing on site. Operational insights were gathered from the laboratory plant with a 300-L digester volume, using cattle manure and clover grass silage. To adapt the system to the biogas reactor made of textile materials, the reactor was designed without a stirrer. These insights were considered in the design and approval procedure of the full-sized demonstration biogas plant made of textile materials. The full-size demonstration plant digesters underwent an approval procedure from local authorities, featuring treatment volumes of 120 m3 for the main biogas reactor and 550 m3 for the digestate reactor in an earth basin style. This new type of biogas plant could be built in small farms for self-sufficiency in electrical and thermal energy or for treating sewage sludge in small-scale communal wastewater treatment and biogas plants.

Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus sp. and Enterococcus sp. in Municipal and Hospital Wastewater: A Longitudinal Study.

The objective of the study was to detect multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus sp. and Enterococcus sp. isolates in municipal and hospital wastewater and to determine their elimination or persistence after wastewater treatment. Between August 2021 and September 2022, raw and treated wastewater samples were collected at two hospital and two community wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In each season of the year, two treated and two raw wastewater samples were collected in duplicate at each of the WWTPs studied. Screening and presumptive identification of staphylococci and enterococci was performed using chromoagars, and identification was performed with the Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS®). Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed using VITEK 2® automated system. There were 56 wastewater samples obtained during the study period. A total of 182 Staphylococcus sp. and 248 Enterococcus sp. were identified. The highest frequency of Staphylococcus sp. isolation was in spring and summer (n = 129, 70.8%), and for Enterococcus sp. it was in autumn and winter (n = 143, 57.7%). Sixteen isolates of Staphylococcus sp. and sixty-three of Enterococcus sp. persisted during WWTP treatments. Thirteen species of staphylococci and seven species of enterococci were identified. Thirty-one isolates of Staphylococcus sp. and ninety-four of Enterococcus sp. were multidrug-resistant. Resistance to vancomycin (1.1%), linezolid (2.7%), and daptomycin (8.2%/10.9%%), and a lower susceptibility to tigecycline (2.7%), was observed. This study evidences the presence of Staphylococcus sp. and Enterococcus sp. resistant to antibiotics of last choice of clinical treatment, in community and hospital wastewater and their ability to survive WWTP treatment systems.

Evaluation of Communal WWTP Management in Supporting the Smart Environment in Mlati District, Sleman Regency

Communal Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is a solution used in the management and treatment of domestic waste. Mlati District is an area that has 8 active Communal WWTP units spread across four villages. Management by the local community to the type of technology used in each region certainly has differences. This research aims to determine the benchmark for the effectiveness of developing one of the smart city dimensions, that is the smart environment in Mlati District. This research was conducted using qualitative research methods, with data processing and presentation carried out descriptively. The existing conditions of the Communal WWTP were obtained by field observation, the management of the Communal WWTP was then carried out descriptive analysis based on the observations, indepth interviews and secondary data and then continued with descriptive analysis to find out management in supporting the smart environment in the Mlati District. The results of the study show that the management of the Communal WWTP in Mlati District has been going well with minimal risk of damage and obstacles. Communal WWTP is the main infrastructure in domestic waste processing which brings significant changes to the region and society. The existence of a waste water treatment installation unit is considered to be able to meet the community’s needs for waste handling. Although waste treatment is not discussed significantly in the elements of smart city development, centralized domestic waste management in Mlati District has proven to play a role in supporting the realization of a smart environment in the region.

Effects of operational parameters on bacterial communities in Hong Kong and global wastewater treatment plants.

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are an indispensable component of modern cities, as they can remove pollutants in wastewater to prevent anthropogenic activities. Activated sludge (AS) is a fundamental wastewater treatment process and it harbors a highly complex microbial community that forms the main components and contains functional groups. Unveiling "who is there" is a long-term goal of the research on AS microbiology. High-throughput sequencing provides insights into the inventory diversity of microbial communities to an unprecedented level of detail. At present, the analysis of communities in WWTPs usually comes from a specific WWTP and lacks comparisons and verification among different WWTPs. The wide-scale and long-term sampling project and research in this study could help us evaluate the AS community more accurately to find the similarities and different results for different WWTPs in Hong Kong and other regions of the world.

Impact of Doxycycline Addition on Activated Sludge Microflora and Microbial Communities

Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are exposed to high concentrations of micropollutants that can impact conventional activated sludge treatment. The consequences of this include failure to meet discharge standards and the disintegration of flocs, leading to poor sludge settleability. This lab-scale study focuses on the influence of doxycycline, an antibiotic widely used against human and animal diseases, on protozoa, metazoa, and bacterial communities under sludge growing conditions. Doxycycline was added to the mixed liquor of a communal WWTP up to 0, 100, 200, and 400 mg of doxycycline L−1 and incubated in batch conditions for 23 days. The regular addition of nutrient and carbon sources was preformed every 2 days to prevent sludge starvation. Sludge growth, conductivity, and settleability were measured and compared to sludge microbial community structure, determined by microscopic observations and high-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing. The high doxycycline concentration negatively impacted settleability and correlated with a decrease in bacterial diversity and floc disintegration. The addition of doxycycline promoted the enrichment of Proteobacteria Brevundimonas sp., Luteibacter anthropi, and the Bacteroidetes Chryseobacterium massoliae. These species are known to be resistant to a wide spectrum of antibiotics, including tetracyclines. A study of a larger scale may be conducted based on this study’ results.

Utilization of Sludge from the Communal Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in the Asrama Dinas Lingkungan Hidup (DLH) Jagakarsa of South Jakarta City as Basic Material for Organic Fertilizer

Asrama DLH Jagakarsa has a communal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) that produces sludge that has not been treated. Asrama DLH residents directly apply the sludge from the communal WWTP as fertilizer for plants. Fecal sludge contains organic substances that provide nutrients to plants. However, there is a possibility that it still contains pathogenic bacteria and metals that can be harmful to plants. This research aims to utilize the fecal sludge from Asrama DLH Jagakarsa WWTP as organic fertilizer with additional ingredients in the form of humic acid. During fertilizer manufacturing, the bacteria and metals are removed. The analysis used includes the composting process conditions analysis, characteristics tests to determine the content of feces and fertilizers, and analysis of the application to plants. Analysis of the conditions in the composting process is the analysis of the pH value of organic fertilizers. Characteristic tests include soil variation (V1), WWTP sludge (V2), and organic fertilizer (V3). Analysis of the application of plant growth was carried out by testing the variation of soil 100% (P1), soil 80% + 20% fecal sludge (P2), and soil 80% + 20% organic fertilizer (P3). The laboratory analysis includes the analysis of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (NPP), and water content which will be compared with the quality standard of the Decree of the Minister of Agriculture Number 261 of 2019. The plant that is used as an indicator of the success of organic fertilizer in plant growth is the kale plant. The best value was obtained in the variation of organic fertilizer (V3), namely the NPP content and water content, respectively, which were 4.52%, 2.57%, 0.05%, and 19.84%. This shows that organic fertilizer increases NPP elements and plant growth.

RESTORASI LANSKAP SITU PENGARENGAN DEPOK UNTUK MENDUKUNG EKOSISTEM PERAIRAN BERKELANJUTAN

Situ (Shallow lake) Pengarengan with an area of 7 Ha serves as a water catchment area, flood control and conservation area. This study aims to analyze the damage that occurred in Situ Pengarengan and provide alternative solutions through landscape restoration technology. The main pollutants that enter the waters of Situ Pengarengan come from households, wastewater and garbage carried by the Kali Hati stream. Not all areas of Situ Pengarengan have adequate boundaries. Only 30% of the area has borders. Only 38% of the area has green open space. There are 17 types of plants on the banks of Situ Pengarengan. Situ landscape restoration technology is needed as an effort to improve ecosystem balance, restore ecological functions and increase the natural purification ability of situ water. One of the landscape restoration technologies by arranging landscapes uses plants that are able to hold runoff water to prevent erosion and as a natural filter for pollutants. Efforts to control damage and prevent pollution are carried out through the implementation of green open space according to the provisions, the implementation of communal Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP), the installation of garbage retention nets and periodic cleaning and dredging of situ. Landscape restoration is carried out for damage control through the preservation of catchment areas and reforestation of the boundaries.

Effectiveness of communal wastewater treatment plant in peri-urban Yogyakarta, Indonesia, for Escherichia coli removal

Yogyakarta Special Region, one of Indonesia’s provinces, has many communal wastewater treatment plants (CWWTPs). However, less than 40% of the province’s CWWTPs are operationally viable. Based on data from the Environmental Agency of Sleman Regency, the physical and chemical parameters of approximately 163 CWWTPs were evaluated. Their biological characteristics, however, still need to be understood. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of CWWTPs in terms of biological parameters, specifically total Coliform and Escherichia coli (E. coli) concentrations in the observed CWWTPs. Five CWWTPs were used as study sites, namely IPAL Manunggal Pringgodani Sejati, IPAL Bakti Warga, IPAL Tambakrejo Bersih, IPAL Nologaten Bersih, and IPAL Andum Roso, which were classified as extremely high and high sanitation risk areas. The total Coliform and E. coli concentrations were determined using MPN techniques based on APHA 9221 (2017). The study found that the E. coli removal effectiveness of the CWWTPs in the very-high sanitation risk areas, namely IPAL Manunggal Pringgodani Sejati, IPAL Bakti Warga, and IPAL Tambakrejo Bersih, was 49%, 18%, and 83%, respectively. Furthermore, in high sanitation risk regions, such as IPAL Nologaten Bersih and IPAL Andum Roso, the CWWTPS were 17% and 73%, respectively. Total Coliform concentrations at all CWWTPs were below the standard limit set by Permen LHK No 68 and the EPA. The findings of this study will help to improve understanding of the WWTP process for E. coli elimination, which will, in turn, help to improve CWWTP performance.

Bacterial communities in residential wastewater treatment plants are physiologically adapted to high concentrations of quaternary ammonium compounds

AbstractBenzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) widely used as the active ingredient of disinfectants. Its excessive discharge into wastewater is constant and in high concentrations, likely affecting the physiology of microbial communities. We compared the physiological community profile of activated sludge (AS) bacteria with and without prior in vitro exposure to a high concentration of BAC (10 mg L−1). We measured the community functional diversity, carbon substrate multifunctionality, and the median effective concentration that inhibits carbon respiration (EC50) using Biolog EcoPlates supplemented with a gradient of 0–50 mg L−1 of BAC. Surprisingly, we did not find significant differences in the physiological parameters among treatments. Certain abundant bacteria, including Pseudomonas, could explain the community's tolerance to high concentrations of BAC. We suggest that bacterial communities in wastewater treatment plants’ AS are “naturally” adapted to BAC due to frequent and high‐dose exposure. We highlight the need to understand better the effects of QACs in wastewater, their impact on the selection of tolerant groups, and the alteration in community metabolic profiles.

Bacteriophages limitedly contribute to the antimicrobial resistome of microbial communities in wastewater treatment plants.

Bacteriophages are known as players in the transmission of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) by horizontal gene transfer. In this study, we characterized the bacteriophage community and the associated ARGs to estimate the potential for phages to spread ARGs in aquatic ecosystems analyzing the intra- and extracellular DNA isolated from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) by shotgun metagenomics. We compared the phage antimicrobial resistome with the bacterial resistome and investigated the effect of the final disinfection treatment on the phage community and its resistome. Phage community was mainly composed by Siphoviridae and other members of the order Caudovirales. The final disinfection only marginally affected the composition of the phage community, and it was not possible to measure its effect on the antimicrobial resistome. Indeed, only three phage metagenome-assembled genomes (pMAGs) annotated as Siphoviridae, Padoviridae, and Myoviridae were positive for putative ARGs. Among the detected ARGs, i.e., dfrB6, rpoB mutants, and EF-Tu mutants, the first one was not annotated in the bacterial MAGs. Overall, these results demonstrate that bacteriophages limitedly contribute to the whole antimicrobial resistome. However, in order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the antimicrobial resistome within a microbial community, the role of bacteriophages needs to be investigated. IMPORTANCE WWTPs are considered hotspots for the spread of ARGs by horizontal gene transfer. In this study, we evaluated the phage composition and the associated antimicrobial resistome by shotgun metagenomics of samples collected before and after the final disinfection treatment. Only a few bacteriophages carried ARGs. However, since one of the detected genes was not found in the bacterial metagenome-assembled genomes, it is necessary to investigate the phage community in order to gain a comprehensive overview of the antimicrobial resistome. This investigation could help assess the potential threats to human health.

Characterization of beta-lactamase producing Enterobacterales isolated from an urban community wastewater treatment plant in Iran.

he occurrence and characteristics of Extended Spectrum- and AmpC-β-lactamase producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE and AmpC-PE) in an urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) were investigated. A total of 30 wastewater samples were collected from all sections of WWTP. Enterobacterales were isolated and identified using standard microbiological tests. The antibiotic resistance profile was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Phenotypic screening for ESBL-PE and AmpC-PE isolates was performed by double-disk synergy and boronic acid disk potentiation tests, respectively. The isolates were examined for AmpC- and ESBL-encoding genes by PCR and sequencing methods. Among 146 Enterobacterales isolates, 8.9% (n=13) [ESBL-only; 5.48% (n=8) and ESBL + AmpC; 3.42% (n=5)] were ESBL-producers and 15.75% (n=23) [AmpC-only; 12.33% (n=18) and ESBL + AmpC; 3.42% (n=5)] AmpC-producers. Hafnia spp. with 33.33% (n=1/3) and E. coli with 20.58% (n=7/34) [ESBL-only; 17.64% (n=6/34) and ESBL + AmpC; 2.94% (n=1/34)] were the most common ESBL-producing bacteria. Enterobacter spp. with 37.50% (n=6/16) of isolates were the most common AmpC-producing organisms. ESBL- and/or AmpC-producing isolates were identified in all parts of the WWTP including 80% (n=8/10) of samples taken from effluent. Among ESBL-producing isolates, bla CTX-M , bla TEM, and bla SHV ESBL-encoding genes were found in 61.5% (n=8), 15.3% (n=2), and 7.7% (n=1) of isolates, respectively. All CTX-M-type enzymes belonged to the CTX-M-1 group and CTX-M-15 subgroup. bla TEM and bla SHV type genes belonged to bla TEM-20 and bla HSV-12 subtypes, respectively. bla DHA with 73.9% (n=17/23), and bla CIT and bla FOX with 30.4% (n=7/23) each, were the most common AmpC-encoding genes among AmpC-producing isolates. Overall, 75% of ESBL-producing and 55.5% of AmpC-producing isolates exhibited multi-drug resistance phenotypes. The organisms were most resistant against ampicillin (82.2%) nalidixic acid (43.8%) and cephalexin (41.1%). ESBL- and AmpC-producing Enterobacterales spp. with diverse genetic resistance backgrounds in WWTP effluent poses a significant risk to public health.

Efisiensi Pengolahan Air Limbah Domestik pada IPAL Komunal Di Kabupaten Bone Bolango

Waste water needs to be managed properly based on its characteristics to reduce the levels of contaminants contained therein. Communal IPAL or Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP) is a centralized wastewater treatment system. Several Communal WWTPs in Bone Bolango Regency have been built, but monitoring is rarely carried out. The purpose of this research was to determine the processing efficiency of communal WWTPs in Kabila District (Dutohe Barat Village and Tanggilingo Village), and Tilongkabila District (Butu Village and Iloheluma Village). The parameters measured were Total Suspended Solid (TSS), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Coliform, Ammonia, and fatty oil tests from inlet and outlet water samples from WWTP. The values obtained are then compared with the quality standards based on the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) 6989.59:2008 concerning Water and Wastewater. The research method uses non-experimental with a quantitative descriptive approach. Sampling using a purposive sampling technique. Based on the results of observations, it was found that there were differences in the results of the efficiency of domestic wastewater treatment, namely the highest TSS removal efficiency in Butu Village (82.9); total coliform in all locations (0); the highest removal in efficiency values were in Iloheluma Village, namely BOD (100), Ammonia (86.95), COD (65.53) and fatty oil efficiency values (98.11) in Tanggilingo Village. The results of this research can be used as a reference for the Regional Government of Bone Bolango Regency to improve the Communal WWTP sustainably to overcome environmental pollution.

Beyond COVID-19: Designing Inclusive Public Health Surveillance by Including Wastewater Monitoring.

Wastewater-based epidemiology is a promising and expanding public health surveillance method. The current wastewater testing trajectory to monitor primarily at community wastewater treatment plants was necessitated by immediate needs of the pandemic. Going forward, specific consideration should be given to monitoring vulnerable and underserved communities to ensure inclusion and rapid response to public health threats. This is particularly important when clinical testing data are insufficient to characterize community virus levels and spread in specific locations. Now is a timely call to action for equitably protecting health in the United States, which can be guided with intentional and inclusive wastewater monitoring.

Planning Study of Wastewater Treatment Plant Communal Settlement Perumnas III Waena Yabansai Village Heram District Jayapura City

The effect of population growth in the residential area of Perumnas III Waena which is lack of planning has an impact on groundwater pollution caused by domestic waste water which affects the quality of dug well water. Household domestic waste water that comes from the combination of cleaning activities, namely waste from kitchen, bathroom, toilet, and laundry with the composition of liquid waste containing organic materials and mineral compounds from food scraps, urine and soap. The objective of this research is to make plans for Waste Water Treatment (IPAL) Communal Plants at Perumnas III Waena which can serve waste water treatment in these settlements. The data analysis method used is the calculation of the population, analysis of water discharge, determination of water discharge and technical planning of Waste Water Treatment (IPAL) Communal Plants. The results show that the discharge of the entire settlement is 0,04780 m3 / second, the distribution planning system in the residential area III Waena is designed with a Small Bore Sawer system equipped with an inceptor tank at the end of the house channel, a communal wastewater treatment plant (IPAL) with an Off-Site system with Aerobic Anaeorob Reactor Biofilter technology

Performance Effectiveness of Communal Wastewater Treatment Plant as an Effort to Control Pollution of the Gajah Wong River, Yogyakarta

The Gajah Wong River receives wastewater from the high population of Sleman Regency, including agricultural activities and home industries that contain organic pollutants. High organic pollutants cause dissolved oxygen depletion in waters that can threaten the lives of various aquatic biota. The construction of a communal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) for handling domestic wastewater is an effort to control river pollution. The effectiveness of WWTP performance based on key parameters is continuously monitored, which is the purpose of this research. Surveys on 4 (four) communal WWTPs (Ngudi Mulyo, Wahana Bina Lingkungan, Tirto Mili, and Karya Asri Ambarukmo) were conducted in February – April 2021 with the key parameters observed were pH, BOD5, COD, and NH3. Sampling wastewater by grab sampling at each inlet and outlet of the WWTP using ABR (Anaerobic Baffled Reactor) and RBC (Rotating Biological Contactor) technology 6 times. The results provide an overview of the quality characteristics of wastewater that has been treated (outlet) at the Ngundi Mulyo WWTP (NH3 16.55 mg/L, BOD5 32.53 mg/L, COD 213.52 mg/L, pH 5) Wahana Bina Lingkungan (NH3 29.85 mg/L, BOD5 262.36 mg/L, pH 6-7), Tirto Mulyo (NH3 20.42 mg/L, BOD5 66.67 mg/L, COD 248.7 mg/L, pH 6-7) and Karya Asri Ambarukmo (NH3 21.60 mg/L, BOD5 252.64 mg/L, pH 6-7). These results reveal that the performance of the four WWTPs is still low and has not been effective in reducing COD and NH3 parameters, except that BOD5 reaches the required quality standard, and the processed wastewater still has the potential to reduce the water quality of the Gajah Wong River. This result is also a signal for WWTP managers to improve the processing process in each of these WWTPs.

DESIGN OF COMMUNAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT (CASE STUDY IN DEPOK VILLAGE, TRENGGALEK, EAST JAVA)

Planning for a communal scale Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Depok Village, Trenggalek Regency, East Java is needed because most of the wastewater in Depok Village is only treated with septic tanks. This study aims to plan a communal scale WWTP design based on the generation of domestic and non-domestic wastewater in Depok Village. The WWTP planning in this study was carried out based on the results of laboratory test parameters for pH, TSS, BOD, COD, total coliform, fatty oil, and ammonia. Based on the test results, it is known that the parameters exceed the required limits according to the Minister of Environment Regulation No. 68 of 2016 is the parameter of TSS, ammonia, and total coliform. The units that are planned are barscreen unit is planned to have a length of 8.65 m, a width of 2.65 m, and a depth of 3 m. The initial settling basin is planned to have a length of 11 m, a width of 3 m, and a depth of 4 m. The anaerobic biofilter unit is planned to have a length of 15 m, a width of 7.5 m, and a depth of 2.5 m. The aerobic biofilter unit is planned to have a length of 16.5 m, a width of 8.5 m, and a depth of 2 m. The final settling basin is planned to have a length of 37 m, a width of 18.5 m and a depth of 2.5 m. The control body is planned to have a length of 9.5 m, a width of 5 m and a depth of 2 m. Meanwhile, disinfection is planned using a disinfectant pump.

The feasibility of SARS-CoV-2 surveillance using wastewater and environmental sampling in Indonesia.

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) surveillance as an early warning system (EWS) for monitoring community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings, where diagnostic testing capacity is limited, needs further exploration. We explored the feasibility to conduct a WBE surveillance in Indonesia, one of the global epicenters of the COVID-19 pandemic in the middle of 2021, with the fourth largest population in the world where sewer and non-sewered sewage systems are implemented. The feasibility and resource capacity to collect samples on a weekly or fortnightly basis with grab and/or passive sampling methods, as well as to conduct qualitative and quantitative identification of SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) using real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) testing of environmental samples were explored. We initiated a routine surveillance of wastewater and environmental sampling at three predetermined districts in Special Region of Yogyakarta Province. Water samples were collected from central and community wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), including manholes flowing to the central WWTP, and additional soil samples were collected for the near source tracking (NST) locations (i.e., public spaces where people congregate). We began collecting samples in the Delta wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia in July 2021. From a 10-week period, 54% (296/544) of wastewater and environmental samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The sample positivity rate decreased in proportion with the reported incidence of COVID-19 clinical cases in the community. The highest positivity rate of 77% in week 1, was obtained for samples collected in July 2021 and decreased to 25% in week 10 by the end of September 2021. A WBE surveillance system for SARS-CoV-2 in Indonesia is feasible to monitor the community burden of infections. Future studies testing the potential of WBE and EWS for signaling early outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 transmissions in this setting are required.

Communal Wastewater Treatment Plants’ Effectiveness, Management, and Quality of Groundwater: A Case Study in Indonesia

The Special Region of Yogyakarta is one of the provinces in Indonesia with a large number of communal wastewater treatment plants (CWWTPs). However, less than 40% of CWWTPS in the province are able to be operated well. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of CWWTPs concerning the quality of the surrounding groundwater. The research location was in Mlati, one of three sub-districts with the highest number of CWWTPs and highest population density in the province. Technical data were analyzed in a laboratory, including water quality of CWWTPs and groundwater quality. This study also analyzed non-technical data related to CWWTP management. These data were collected through in-depth interviews with CWWTP managers and users. The data were analyzed systematically, not only quantitatively but qualitatively. The distribution of water quality from CWWTP treatment and groundwater was mapped using inverse distance weighting (IDW). The results show that the CWWTP effluent meets quality standards for pH, temperature, COD, oil and grease, and ammonia. However, some CWWTPs fail to meet the quality standards for the TSS and E. coli parameters. Groundwater has an acidic pH, with ammonia, nitrite, and zinc parameters meeting quality standards, but oil and grease, COD, nitrate, and Pb concentrations exceed quality standards in several wells. This study indicates that the presence of CWWTPs is not correlated with the quality of groundwater due to the inefficiency of the CWWTPs, the unmet coverage area, and the conditions of sanitation facilities at the location.

Ciliate Communities Respond via Their Traits to a Wastewater Treatment Plant With a Combined UASB–Activated Sludge System

Assessing functional diversity of communities is an efficient method to link community composition to ecosystem quality. Still, studies using functional traits of microeukaryote ciliate communities in biological wastewater treatment plants are lacking. The present work explores the functional diversity of the ciliate protist community in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) operating with a combined UASB-activated sludge system, and specifically to: 1) investigate the taxonomic and functional composition of the ciliate communities over time; 2) compare taxonomic and functional diversity indices with regard to its applicability in WWPS; 3) assess the relationship between the ciliate community’s functional composition and the WWTPs temporal conditions; and 4) investigate the potential use of functional diversity as an indicator of WWTP efficiency. Totally, we recorded 21 ciliate species throughout 37 samplings. The number of species was low compared to other plants. Bacterivorous and flake-forming species were the main functional strategies found in the samples. The correlation between taxonomic and functional richness was significant, indicating a functionally redundant community. There was a correlation between the Simpson and Rao’s quadratic entropy indexes suggesting that loss of taxonomic diversity leads to a loss of functional diversity. The homogeneity of the measured physical and chemical data led to functional homogenization and redundancy (homogenous CWM) of the ciliate community. The functional diversity is positively correlated with parameters of removal efficiency, indicating a promising application in WWTPs. Future studies will broaden knowledge on functional diversity in biological wastewater treatment systems, this being a first step with the unprecedented application of this methodology in artificial ecosystems.