The presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in different freshwater environments in urban settings determined by RT-qPCR: implications for water safety

Abstract

This is the first study focused on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in different freshwater environments of an urban setting. Groundwater and surface water reservoirs for drinking water as well as water from receiving rivers of Monterrey Metropolitan Area were sampled repeatedly during a peak phase between October 2020 and January 2021, and the virus RNA was measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Forty-four percent of groundwater samples demonstrated detectable virus loads between 2.9 and 5.6 copies/ml. A significant correlation with sucralose concentration in groundwater reaffirmed the hypothesis of leaching and infiltration of effluents from surface and/or failing sewage pipes, and emphases the importance of water disinfection. Thirteen percent of surface water dam samples tested positive, with values varying between 3.3 and 3.8 copies/ml. Finally, 21% of river samples marked positive for viral RNA, with concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 7.0 copies/ml. Raw wastewater samples taken in the same period show viral loads of up to 3535 copies/ml, demonstrating a dilution effect and/or efficiency of wastewater facilities. Variations of viral loads over time and at sub-metropolitan level in groundwater and surface water in general reflects the reported variation of infections for Monterrey.

Effectiveness of solar water disinfection in the era of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic for contaminated water/wastewater treatment considering UV effect and temperature

“…It is worthy to be mentioned that, some well-known transboundary rivers and basins polluted by pathogens of wastewaters such as Amazon, Congo, Parana, Nile, Yenisey, Lena, Zambezi, Niger, Amur, Indus, Mekong, and Salween, to name a few [ 86 ]. In this regard, contamination of natural water bodies [ 87 , 88 ], rivers [ 89 ], groundwater [ 90 ], and freshwater environment [ 91 ] via the SARS-CoV-2 become to the one of main concerns of all researchers.…”

On the Critical Role of Human Feces and Public Toilets in the Transmission of COVID-19: Evidence from China

“…Then, where would the water in the sewage system finally go to? The freshwater environments and water safety are substantially jeopardized by SARS-CoV-2 RNA ( Mahlknecht et al, 2021 ). In fact, the natural water system such as rivers has already been detected with SARS-CoV-2 ( Coronado et al, 2021 ; de Oliveira et al, 2021 ; Kolarevic et al, 2021 ).…”

Elucidating the role of environmental management of forests, air quality, solid waste and wastewater on the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2

“…However, Wang et al (2020a) detected live SARS-CoV-2 in stool samples from Chinese hospitals, which opens the wastewater pathway for SARS-CoV-2 as it may plausibly spread through drainage stacks ( Wang et al, 2021 ). SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been detected globally, excluding Antarctica, within stool samples and areas with influent and treated wastewaters such as hospitals, aircrafts, cruises, sewage, rivers, ground water, dam water and public water fountains in a recreational area ( Ahmed et al, 2020a ; Ahmed et al, 2020b ; Giraud-Billoud et al, 2020; Rimoldi et al, 2020 ; Sherchan et al, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2020a ; Albastaki et al, 2021 ; Johnson et al, 2021 ; Kozer et al, 2021 ; Mahlknecht et al, 2021 ). Further research is needed to elucidate SARS-CoV-2 within recreational waters.…”

“…For example, rotavirus and norovirus were detected in a natural lagoon of Brazil, and norovirus and human adenovirus were detected in a catchment area of Singapore ( Vieira et al, 2012 ; Vergara et al, 2016 ). Hence, further research is needed for recreational waters as there is a slight probability of infection risk is suggested even though chances of transmission is low ( Mahlknecht et al, 2021 ). For protection from SARS-CoV-2 through recreational waters, precautionary COVID-19 measures such as chlorine disinfection (applicable to pools), safety closures and updates, water monitoring and testing, strict visitor tracking along with hygiene and protection rules, public monitoring and prevention of entry for vulnerable populations could be implemented (Aygün et al, 2020; Romano-Bertrand et al 2020 ; Brown et al, 2021 ; Quadri and Padala, 2021 ; Sala-Comorera, L, 2021b).…”