Grantee Research Project Results
2023 Progress Report: A cross-regional, cross-laboratory investigation of viral pathogens and surrogates in wastewater for non-potable reuse
EPA Grant Number: R840257Title: A cross-regional, cross-laboratory investigation of viral pathogens and surrogates in wastewater for non-potable reuse
Investigators: Jiang, Sunny C. , Goel, Ramesh , Yan, Tao , Solo-Gabriele, Helena , Sherchan, Samendra , Whiteson, Katrine , Rosso, Diego , Bischel, Heather N
Institution: University of California - Irvine , University of California Davis , University of Miami , Tulane University , University of Hawaii, Manoa , University of Utah
EPA Project Officer: Ludwig-Monty, Sarah
Project Period: August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2024 (Extended to July 31, 2025)
Project Period Covered by this Report: August 1, 2022 through July 31,2023
Project Amount: $1,240,000
RFA: Viral Pathogen and Surrogate Approaches for Assessing Treatment Performance in Water Reuse (2021) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Water Treatment
Objective:
1) identify a suite of viral pathogens and surrogates, and their detection methods that may best serve as the indication of viral risk in water reuse; 2) compare viral pathogen and surrogate detection methods in wastewater by different labs in order to develop a set of Standard Operational Protocols (SOP) that can be adopted as standard methods by water utilities; 3) apply the SOPs to wastewater samples collected from wastewater reclamation plants across the U.S., from Miami to Hawaii, at different seasons and treatment processes to identify the best markers for viral risk in water reuse; 4) develop Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models to predict infectious viruses in the effluent using pathogen/surrogate and treatment conditions; and 5) integrate the outcomes from the cross-regional and cross-laboratory study into quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) models to estimate health risk from exposure to the water for non-potable reuse.
Progress Summary:
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Carried out testing of sample storage conditions and host-phage contact time in EPA methods for coliphage infectivity assay.
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Implemented four rounds of coordinated sample collection at six WWTPs throughout the country.
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Samples were analyzed for coliphage (somatic and F-specific) infectivity for all rounds.
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Samples were concentrated using two standardized methods (PEG precipitation & e-negative filtration) and viral recovery during concentration were determined using indigenous coliphage assay in 3 of 4 rounds.
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Water quality and physical/chemical parameters were collected for all sample collection dates.
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Computed log removals for entire treatment plant (from influent to effluent) and for point in between (secondary effluent). Compared results across regions.
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Evaluated correlations between water quality and log removals.
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Preserved all microbial concentrates for qPCR, ddPCR and metagenomic sequencing analyses in -80C freezer.
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Developed standardized protocols for target viral assays by qPCR and ddPCR.
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Developed and optimized flow cytometry assay methods for quantification of virus-like particles in wastewater by UC Davis team.
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qPCR assays were performed for viral concentrates from a subset of samples by the Morgan State University to test out the primers and the qPCR protocols.
Future Activities:
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Add one more round of sampling (final) for coliphage infectivity assay and microbial concentration from all plants in fall of 2023 to verify (or replace) the results from Fall 2022 sampling (due to uncertainty of operation).
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Data analysis of viral concentration recovery and storage conditions by multiple laboratories to understand methods variability in viral pathogens and viral surrogate assay.
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Perform statistical analysis to identify the relationships between viral surrogates and seasonal, geographical locations as well as WWTPs characteristics.
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Carry out field data collection of viral removal efficiency by direct counting of virus-like particles using flow cytometry as a rapid measurement of viral removal in two wastewater treatment plants by UC Davis and UC Irvine.
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Perform qPCR, ddPCR and metagenomic analysis of viral concentrates from all seasonal and plant collections across the U.S.
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Build the structure of Artificial Neural Network and perform the analysis between wastewater characteristics and viral surrogates.
Journal Articles on this Report : 4 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 6 publications | 6 publications in selected types | All 6 journal articles |
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Huang Y, Jiang S. Quantification of Viruses in Wastewater on a Centrifugal Microfluidic Disc. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2025;. |
R840257 (2023) |
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Nahim-Grandos S, Quon H, Polo-Lopez M, Oller I, Aguera A, Jiang S. Assessment of antibiotic-resistant infection risks associated with reclaimed wastewater irrigation in intensive tomato cultivation. WATER RESEARCH 2024;254(121437) |
R840257 (2023) |
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Quon H, Hiang S. Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment of Antibiotic-Resistant E. coli, Legionella pneumophila, and Mycobacteria in Nonpotable Wastewater Reuse Applications. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2024;58(29):12888-12898 |
R840257 (2023) |
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Xiao Y, Shou B, Tan S, Muhammad T, Si B, Ma C, Jiang S, Li Y. Nanobubbles for the Mitigation of Fouling in Wastewater Distribution Systems. ENGINEERING 2024;35:214-225. |
R840257 (2023) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
coliphage, infectivity, viral concentration, genetic analysis, Flow Cytometry, artificial neural network, quantitative microbial risk assessmentRelevant Websites:
UCI WEX Center - Research at the Water-Energy Nexus Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.