SEWAGE WATER AS INDICATOR FOR SPREADING OF COVID-19 - The detection of COVID-19 in the sewage water at the Dutch WWTP does not really come as a surprise - sewage water contains many viruses and the detection of the new coronavirus from human faeces was to be expected - SARS-CoV RNA had been detected in the sewage water of Chinese hospitals where SARS-patients were treated - Microbiologists at research institute KWR conducted a series of RNA-analyses at municipal waste water treatment plants (WWTP) in the Netherlands. The analyses showed the presence of RNA gene fragments of the COVID-19 virus in incoming sewage water. According to KWR the screening of the COVID-19 virus at municipal waste water plants can be used to signal new outbreaks in advance and play an important role to follow the evolution of the pandemic. RNA-analysis is a method to measure the presence of viruses through capturing virus particles and detect specific gene fragments. The method does not discriminate between inactive and infectious particles. The KWR microbiologists say they have not yet been able to quantify the presence of these fragments. Their first findings indicate that the concentration of the virus at the WWTP is low. Currently researchers are examining all samples multiple times and are looking at the reproducibility of the results.

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KWR employees taking samples of sewage water as part of a European
 study to determine the presence of cocaine and party drugs.

 Sewage water as indicator for spreading of COVID-19

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The detection of COVID-19 in the sewage water at the Dutch WWTP does not really come as a surprise - sewage water contains many viruses and the detection of the new coronavirus from human faeces was to be expected - SARS-CoV RNA had been detected in the sewage water of Chinese hospitals where SARS-patients were treated

Dutch Water Sector

Microbiologists at research institute KWR conducted a series of RNA-analyses at municipal waste water treatment plants (WWTP) in the Netherlands.

Gene fragments of COVID-19 detected at Dutch WWTP.

The analyses showed the presence of RNA gene fragments of the COVID-19 virus in incoming sewage water.

According to KWR the screening of the COVID-19 virus at municipal waste water plants can be used to signal new outbreaks in advance and play an important role to follow the evolution of the pandemic.

Additional research

RNA-analysis is a method to measure the presence of viruses through capturing virus particles and detect specific gene fragments. The method does not discriminate between inactive and infectious particles. The KWR microbiologists say they have not yet been able to quantify the presence of these fragments. Their first findings indicate that the concentration of the virus at the WWTP is low.  

Currently researchers are examining all samples multiple times and are looking at the reproducibility of the results. Furthermore, they double check and focus on fragments of multiple genes, to strengthen their results about the presence of the virus.

No real surprise

The detection of COVID-19 in the sewage water at the Dutch WWTP does not really come as a surprise. 

Sewage water contains many viruses and the detection of the new coronavirus from human faeces was to be expected.

Study results released by Chinese microbiologists in 2005 showed that SARS-CoV RNA had been detected in the sewage water of Chinese hospitals where SARS-patients were treated.

Early warning of new outbreaks

KWR suggests the use of the RNA-analyses of the SARS-CoV-2 in sewage water as a tool to measure the virus circulation in cities or smaller municipalities. 

The concentration level of the virus can be an indicator for the number of virus infections in the population and can signal in advance a new outbreak, for instance when a lock down is lifted.

Similarly, these analyses can help monitor the effect of measures put in place to mitigate the spreading of the pandemic, according to KWR.

The Netherlands is a world leader in water management. Our country, often referred to as Holland, is a relatively small, low lying, densely populated deltaic region at the western edge of Europe. And that comes with its challenges. Over the decades, the Dutch have mastered the art of flood protection and water supply and treatment. Water is in our genes, is often said.

Living in a challenging and vulnerable environment spurs innovation and cooperation. In our case, this especially comes to life in Dutch water management. By constantly adapting our approach to water over decades, we have gained an advantage and we want to share our knowledge and skills internationally. We believe that by putting our heads together, we can achieve more in tackling global water related challenges. That is why this website features the best the Dutch water sector has to offer, nationally and internationally.

The Dutch water sector: your worldwide partner for water solutions

Water does not stop at borders. The world faces major water challenges every day, whether the water is too much, too little or too polluted. These challenges require holistic and sustainable solutions which call for cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and expertise. The Dutch water sector invites you to team up to find the best solutions for our changing world. 

https://www.dutchwatersector.com/news/sewage-water-as-indicator-for-spreading-of-covid-19

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