The role of wastewater treatment in protecting water supplies against emerging pathogens.

摘要: Traditionally, regulators, dischargers, and even water suppliers believed that wastewater discharge meeting the levels of 200 cfu/ 100 mL fecal coliforms in effluent was sufficient to protect against downstream microbial effects. However, these beliefs are now being challenged by emerging pathogens resistant standard treatment processes, exhibit extended survival periods environment, can adversely affect sensitive subpopulations, require extremely low doses for human infection. Based on this new information, it is estimated discharges from conventional plants as far 160 km upstream cumulative amounts ranging 2 20 ML/d have potential reach a supply intake viable state at significant concentrations could exceed regulatory limits drinking supplies, increase endemic risk water, and/or additional treatment. Wastewater dischargers may be able mitigate effect achieve upwards 6 log combined removal inactivation effects using alternative such filtration or UV light disinfection, optimizing processes based site-specific conditions. Water Environ. Res., 79, 221 (2007).