Disinfection Treatment Technology: Efficacy of Bacteriophage Inactivation

Human pathogenic enteric viruses have been identified as important causative agents of gastroenteritis in humans from exposure to contaminated recreational waters and consumption of contaminated shellfish. Some previous work suggests that the current US EPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria (EPA, 2012), based on the fecal indicator bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) and enterococci, do not adequately predict the presence of human viral pathogens in recreational waters. As a result, a number of federal agencies and groups are investigating use of coliphage in water quality management plans. This paper provides an overview of the drivers for developing water quality criteria based on bacteriophage, the overarching regulatory framework in the US and potential impacts on discharge permitting at WWTPs. Finally, the paper provides a high level overview of the potential challenges of using bacteriophage for wastewater disinfection and a brief summary of an alternative approach that could help overcome these challenges.