20^th June, 2021 and 27^th June, 2021

12 noon-1pm

• The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in waste water has been reported. Several international studies have shown that the virus is present in the waste water. Besides, respiratory transmission, faecal-oral transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is possible, although there is no robust evidence for this.
• Stools and masks of patient diagnosed with COVID -19 are considered as primary mode of transmission in water and waste water. The survival of corona virus strongly depends on temperature, property of water, concentration of suspended solids and organic matter, solution pH and dose of disinfectant used.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the current disinfection process of drinking water could effectively inactivate most of the bacterial and viral communities present in water, especially SARS-CoV-2, which is more sensitive to disinfectant like free chlorine.
• SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid fragments have been detected in waste water sludges, municipal waste water, hospital waste water, secondary treated water, river water etc.
• SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been detected in inflow wastewater but not in outflow water.
• An important question is whether it can survive or infect after the disinfection process of drinking water.
• We need to know the survival of coronavirus under different operational conditions. It is also important that waste water and sewage water workers should follow all SOPs for their protection against coronavirus exposure. They should have all protective equipment such as gloves, boots etc. to protect themselves.
• RT PCR and RT qPCR are the methods to detect the presence of coronavirus in waste water and sewage water.
• Wastewater management is a big problem overall in our country. Without proper system/treatment, waste water is discharged in fresh water bodies and rivers and affects health of communities. This untreated water is also used for agriculture.
• In 2003, during SARS -1, an outbreak occurred in an apartment complex in Hong Kong, where the virus was found to spread through the sewer system. Only then it was realised that SARS was water transmissible also. 
• Most of our systems do not even have the basic facilities to treat total and faecal coliforms and there is no monitoring. Though, some waste water treatment plants have the capacity to disinfect all types of viruses and bacteria, helminths and unicellular organisms.
• The problem is that our rivers and receiving water bodies do not have adequate dilution capacity.
• People have not considered minimising discharge of waste water from domestic sources resulting in high load in the existing systems, high cost of chemical consumption and maintenance and decrease in efficiency.
• Our system has considered US/European standards for sewage load, which are not suitable for Indian conditions.
• If the hospital waste water and domestic waste water go through the treatment plants, there should not be any cause for worry provided the treatment plants are working correctly and scientifically.
• Instead of big treatment plants, smaller treatment plants should have been developed for easier management.
• The public has to be educated. Regulatory bodies should work in partnership with the public.
• Studies in France have found that sewage surveillance can help in understanding the circulation of the coronavirus in humans. Similar studies in Chennai had been started but were discontinued because of lack of guidelines on this. More studies need to be done on this issue.
• We have to see how the SARS-CoV-2 behaves in the Indian environment, where the temperatures are high, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is low and suspended solids are high. And then try to develop a tracking methodology. Once this has been done, then some guidelines or policies can be developed to curb their growth.
• The chemical content in waste water has increased because of daily sanitising (bleaching powder) or increased use of medications (in vomit or stools). There is the possibility of formation of trihalomethane (THM), which is carcinogenic. THMs, formed because of presence of organic matter and free chlorine in sewage, should also be measured in sewage.
• Treatment facilities should be able to take care of the increased chemical load in the waste water.
• There should be proper monitoring of various micro organisms; the CPCB and SPCB monitor the total and faecal coliforms mainly and not other pathogens. They should augment their laboratory capacity to monitor other pathogens too – staphylococci, pseudomonas, diphtheria and coronavirus. Else, some research laboratory (like NEERI) can come forward for this. Monitoring of pathogens is required.
• Minimise contamination at our homes itself to reduce the viral load. Decontaminate all surfaces including toilets so that micro organisms do not enter the sewage.
• As per a Notification from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, all healthcare facilities (HCFs) should have adequate facilities to treat infectious waste. Proper compliance to this is necessary by HCFs and it is to be properly monitored by Regulatory Authorities.
• The focus should be on people participation in all environmental programs, health programs etc. Lack of people participation has resulted in environmental problems.
• Hospital waste water should be disinfected first before discharge into the sewer system. Such infected water should not go into the water bodies. It is important to find ways to prevent this contamination. Whatever method adopted, its implementation is important.
• All point sources – hospitals, institutions, larger dormitories (quarantine facilities) – should be clearly identified and have a method of collection of wash water and should have proper STP with disinfection system. The treated waste water must be, tested to see if the virus is present or not.
• Government must undertake pilot studies to see if the virus is prevalent in waste water.
• Though, CPCB in July, 2020 had issued Guidelines for treatment of waste water infected with corona virus, there should be more detailed Guidelines / SOP for treatment and monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in the waste water.
• Delhi has tertiary treatment facilities in all STPs. But facilities for tertiary treatment of waste water are not available in all cities. Some have only secondary treatment facilities and if that waste water is used for parks etc., it is a cause for concern.
• In water quality standards, there are no standards prescribed for the Coronavirus. Similar to standards for faecal coliforms, the standards need to be revised by including standards for the Coronavirus.

Participants

Dr JS Kamyotra

Mr Vivek Kumar

Dr Anil Kumar

Mr Raghav Khemka

Mr Pradeep Khandelwal

Dr Sanjeev Agarwal

Mr Sanjeev Kumar

Dr SK Tyagi

Mr Vikas Singhal

Ms Ira Gupta

Mr Ankit Sethi

Dr Venkatesh BG

Dr SA Verma

Dr Dipankar Saha

Dr S Sharma