Virus Risk Analysis in Wastewater Reclamation and Reuse

In wastewater reclamation and reuse, a great deal of attention has been directed at the inactivation and removal of pathogenic organisms, particularly enteric viruses, by municipal wastewater treatment systems and in the environment. Based on the data obtained from three virus monitoring studies conducted in California, the probability of infection associated with the potential presence of human pathogens is assessed and, using several exposure scenarios, the potential risks of infection from using reclaimed water in the urban environment are estimated. A rational basis for assessing health risks associated with the use of reclaimed municipal wastewater is presented.