Assessment of the removal efficiency of pathogenic viruses in three urban wastewater treatment plants in Palestine

Abstract

Using technologies and enforcing national reuse guidelines helps reduce health risks from recycled water used in irrigation. Analysing viral presence in raw and treated sewage is crucial for preventing pandemics. This study used qPCR to evaluate three urban wastewater treatment plants in Ramallah: Al-Tireh MBR, Al-Bireh AS, and Rawabi MBBR. Samples collected in March 2019 were treated and analysed using real-time PCR with specific primers and probes. Results showed Al-Tireh MBR achieved 100% removal of enterovirus, adenovirus, norovirus, and rotavirus. Al-Bireh WWTP achieved 33% removal for adenovirus and rotavirus. Rawabi MBBR achieved varying removal rates: 100% for adenovirus, 33% for norovirus, and 66% for rotavirus. Chlorinated samples showed no direct correlation between faecal coliforms and viral presence. These findings suggest retrofitting Al-Bireh WWTP and Rawabi MBBR with ultrafiltration or MBR units to mitigate viral outbreaks.