Wastewater treatment risks and challenges for public health and the environment during the Covid‐19 pandemic: a review

Abstract

AbstractDuring the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), viral transport, fate, disinfection and environmental release in wastewater treatment plants have been issues of high importance for overall management. Although a huge number of scientific publications related to coronaviruses have been published, the number of studies on different aspects of wastewater treatment strategies to deal with SARS‐CoV‐2 abatement is still relatively limited and results are often confusing. To define real wastewater risks for public health and the environment, we have performed a systematic review and identified 96 papers from the PubMed database. We focused on SARS‐CoV‐2 wastewater treatments and how the type and level of treatments affect the virological quality of the effluents, the role of disinfectants, the treatment of medical wastewater, the role of new technologies, as well as the wastewater treatment in low‐ and middle‐income countries. It was concluded that, in general, well‐designed and well‐functioning wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and on‐site reliable sanitation systems may significantly limit the risk of SARS‐CoV‐2. The development of cost‐effective decentralized water and wastewater treatment facilities for low‐ and middle‐income countries for the abatement of coronaviruses should be enhanced. Lessons learned during the COVID‐19 pandemic with regard to wastewater treatment are expected to support an improved detection, response and containment of future viral disease outbreaks. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).