One-Year Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Natural and Drinking Water
Although the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been detected in wastewater from several countries, monitoring its presence in other water matrices is still limited. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of this virus in natural and drinking water over one year of monitoring (2021). A survey of viral RNA was...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Pathogens |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/10/1133 |
| _version_ | 1827648389948375040 |
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| author | Daniel Salvador Maria Filomena Caeiro Célia Neto Rui Neves Carneiro |
| author_facet | Daniel Salvador Maria Filomena Caeiro Célia Neto Rui Neves Carneiro |
| author_sort | Daniel Salvador |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Although the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been detected in wastewater from several countries, monitoring its presence in other water matrices is still limited. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of this virus in natural and drinking water over one year of monitoring (2021). A survey of viral RNA was carried out by RT-qPCR in concentrated samples of surface water, groundwater, and drinking water from different regions of Portugal. SARS-CoV-2 RNA—quantified in genomic copies per liter (gc/L) of sampled water—was not detected in groundwater, but was detected and quantified in samples of surface water (two out of 43; 8035 and 23,757 gc/L) and in drinking water (one out of 43 samples; 7463 gc/L). The study also detected and quantified <i>Norovirus</i> RNA, intending to confirm the use of this enteric virus to assess variations in fecal matter throughout the sampling campaign. The samples positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA also had the highest concentrations of <i>Norovirus</i> RNA—including the drinking water sample, which proved negative for fecal enteric bacteria (FIB). These results indicate that, to protect human health, it is advisable to continue monitoring these viruses, and noroviruses as fecal indicators (FI) as well—especially in low-flow water bodies that receive wastewater. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:37:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7545829f7b8a46719570ef596f042b47 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:37:36Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj.art-7545829f7b8a46719570ef596f042b472023-11-24T01:48:24ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172022-09-011110113310.3390/pathogens11101133One-Year Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Natural and Drinking WaterDaniel Salvador0Maria Filomena Caeiro1Célia Neto2Rui Neves Carneiro3Direção de Laboratórios (LAB) da Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres (EPAL), Avenida de Berlim, 15, 1800-031 Lisboa, PortugalCentro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Edifício C2-Piso 4, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, PortugalDireção de Laboratórios (LAB) da Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres (EPAL), Avenida de Berlim, 15, 1800-031 Lisboa, PortugalDireção de Laboratórios (LAB) da Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres (EPAL), Avenida de Berlim, 15, 1800-031 Lisboa, PortugalAlthough the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been detected in wastewater from several countries, monitoring its presence in other water matrices is still limited. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of this virus in natural and drinking water over one year of monitoring (2021). A survey of viral RNA was carried out by RT-qPCR in concentrated samples of surface water, groundwater, and drinking water from different regions of Portugal. SARS-CoV-2 RNA—quantified in genomic copies per liter (gc/L) of sampled water—was not detected in groundwater, but was detected and quantified in samples of surface water (two out of 43; 8035 and 23,757 gc/L) and in drinking water (one out of 43 samples; 7463 gc/L). The study also detected and quantified <i>Norovirus</i> RNA, intending to confirm the use of this enteric virus to assess variations in fecal matter throughout the sampling campaign. The samples positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA also had the highest concentrations of <i>Norovirus</i> RNA—including the drinking water sample, which proved negative for fecal enteric bacteria (FIB). These results indicate that, to protect human health, it is advisable to continue monitoring these viruses, and noroviruses as fecal indicators (FI) as well—especially in low-flow water bodies that receive wastewater.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/10/1133human health<i>Norovirus</i>risk assessmentRT-qPCRwater monitoringwater safety |
| spellingShingle | Daniel Salvador Maria Filomena Caeiro Célia Neto Rui Neves Carneiro One-Year Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Natural and Drinking Water Pathogens human health <i>Norovirus</i> risk assessment RT-qPCR water monitoring water safety |
| title | One-Year Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Natural and Drinking Water |
| title_full | One-Year Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Natural and Drinking Water |
| title_fullStr | One-Year Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Natural and Drinking Water |
| title_full_unstemmed | One-Year Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Natural and Drinking Water |
| title_short | One-Year Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Natural and Drinking Water |
| title_sort | one year surveillance of sars cov 2 virus in natural and drinking water |
| topic | human health <i>Norovirus</i> risk assessment RT-qPCR water monitoring water safety |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/10/1133 |
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