COVID-19 what is its fate in urban water cycle? Royal Society of Chemistry

The recent severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which emerged in China in December 2019, is causing an outbreak of respiratory disease (named COVID-19 disease by the World Health Organization, WHO) and deaths in many parts of the world.

Because the new virus has already begun to spread worldwide, it is important for water engineers and professionals to understand the nature and fate of coronavirus and effective measures to protect public health.

Previous studies have shown that coronaviruses exist and can maintain their viability in sewage and hospital wastewater, originating from the fecal discharge of infected patients.

Existing scientific research on viruses in water and wastewater recycling processes has also produced substantial evidence of the routes of human infection by pathogens in water. Because coronaviruses can remain infectious for days in sewage and for longer periods in drinking water, water contaminated by coronaviruses is a potential vehicle for human exposure if aerosols are generated.

Where water and sanitation systems are not adequate, the risk of finding novel viruses is very high.