Health Related Water Microbiology
Specialist Group Newsletter
Volume 23 – June 2021

Contents
 Message from our Chair (pg 1)
 Integrative MST-QMRA approach to guide water reuse
in industrial estate communities in Thailand (pg 3)
 Michigan PCR Network and Wastewater Sphere (pg 4)
 Applying Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment andWastewater-Based Epidemiology to Mass Gathering
Risk Control and Communication (pg 5)
 A manual for SARS-CoV-2 gene detection from sewage
has been issued in Japan (pg 5)
 IWA HRWM Webinar: COVID-19: Protecting communities with wastewater-based epidemiology (pg 6)
 IWA Membership (pg 6)
 Establishing an Automated System for Genomic
Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater (pg 7)
 Getting to know the YWP Chapter from Japan (JapanYWP) (pg 8)
 Call for papers: Special Issue: Multiomic approaches in
the microbiome and microbial ecology of health anddisease (pg 9)
 Sewage as element of the surveillance pyramid of
COVID-19 (pg 10)
 News from IWA Headquarters (pg 18)
 News from IWA Publishing (pg 20)

Message
Chair

from

our

Dear colleagues and friends of the HRWM family!
As I write these lines, the IWA World Water
Congress (May 25 - June 4, 2021) is underway, forthe first time completely in digital format.
Members of our HRWM SG are involved aspresenters, chairs and participants. The topics are
divided into 6 tracks, of which Track 2 Wastewater
treatment & resource recovery and Track 3
Drinking water & potable reuse are particularlyinteresting. The programme can be found under:
https://digital.worldwatercongress.org/programme/.
The technical conditions are excellent, the three
pre-recorded presentations per session are
discussed in detail during a live panel. One
experienced member and one YWP each act asmoderators. Despite all these efforts, even thebest technology cannot replace personal exchange
and social contacts, which we are missing.

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For the IWA Leaders Forum, which takes place inthe frame of the world congress, it has beenannounced, that we will learn about new
possibilities for IWA SG to hold webinars. Thisshould help us to realise our planned webinar
series in September 2021.

This time I would also like to draw special
attention to the HRWM website, which ismaintained with great dedication by our SG
HRWM Secretary Daisuke Sano. We are mostgrateful for his additional task as webmaster. Link:
https://hrwm-watermicro.com/

The IWA headquarter has decided to hold the next
IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition, entitled
Water for smart liveable cities, from 11-15
September 2022 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Enjoy reading the Newsletter, which has beenedited in the usual excellent way by Maronel
Steyn. Many cordial thanks for that.

Link: https://worldwatercongress.org/
Due to this new scheduling the organizing team forour 21st HRWM Symposium, which will be held in
Darwin, Australia, has decided in consultation with
the HRWM management team, to postpone thesymposium to 2023. The exact date has still to be
fixed.
Despite this postponement, our HRWM family willremain in touch. The next opportunity will be thefollowing HRWM webinar with the title “COVID-19
and Wastewater-Based Epidemiology: Testing ofWastewater from Buildings like Schools, Offices,
student halls and Nursing Homes” (June 17, 2021).
It is organized by Jes Clauson-Kaas, Hiro Katayama
and Daisuke Sano (for more information see page
6).

We would also like to thank the colleagues who
contributed to this newsletter. Please continue tobe active and send contributions, we are alreadycollecting for the next one.

I am looking forward to our upcoming HRWM
Webinar in June 2021 and the planned webinar
series in September 2021, we will keep you
informed.
Warm regards
Regina Sommer
HRWM Chair_________Pg2
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Integrative MSTQMRA approach toguide water reuse inindustrial estate
communities inThailand-

Article Credit: Dr. Thammanitchpol Denpetkul,
Mahidol University, and Dr. Kwanrawee Joy Sirikanchana,
Chulabhorn
Research Institute, Thailand

The expansion of industries into ruralcommunities
has
promoted
economicdevelopment in communities; however, higher
faecal pollution loads from expanded populationsin the industrial sector could pose a public healthconcern. In this study, we examined microbial
water quality in industrial and adjacentcommunity areas to investigate microbial impacts
on public health during three dry events.
A total of 27 samples from nine sampling sites
indicated faecal pollution from mostly humansources, as shown by crAssphage detection(88.9%) and human polyomaviruses detection(92.6%). There were three occurrences of enterichuman adenovirus from residential sites. Overall,industrial and residential land use affected theamount of human faecal pollution equally.
For the first time in Thailand, this study integrated
the microbial source tracking (MST) andquantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA)
approach to calculate enteric human adenovirus
annual infection risks for non-potable water reuse
purposes by predicting concentrations from two
MST markers: crAssphage and humanpolyomaviruses. Three water reuse scenarios
were selected: 1) toilet flushing to promote theeco-industrial park concept; 2) food crop
irrigation; and 3) aquaculture, the last two of
which are conducted in the community. All
scenarios exceeded the annual infection riskbenchmark of 10-4 per person per year.

Therefore, suggested pre-treatments include 1) a
combination of depth filtration and chlorination
for food crop irrigation and aquaculture reuse
purposes; and 2) chlorination for toilet flushing.
Microbial monitoring in combination with a QMRA
could offer opportunities for faecal contamination
and risk controls, leading to more efficient water
quality management and adequate additional
treatments for water reuse.
We would like to extend this research to include
more locations, types of water, and reuse
purposes, as well as determine the relationshipbetween MST and pathogenic microorganisms in
Thailand in order to increase microbial risk
assessment accuracy and identify the besttreatments for various reuse purposes.
This article is freely available at:
Kongprajug, A., Denpetkul, T., Chyerochana, N.,
Mongkolsuk, S., & Sirikanchana, K. (2021).
Human Fecal Pollution Monitoring and Microbial
Risk Assessment for Water Reuse Potential in a
Coastal Industrial–Residential Mixed-Use
Watershed. Frontiers in Microbiology,
12:647602. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.647602.

An industrial estate on the coast of Thailand.

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Michigan PCR
Network andWastewater Sphere- Article contributed by Andri Taruna

A waterway in the industrial estate.

The research team taking a water sample.

The early detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater
can help identify a new emergence of infection in
a community, monitor the level of virus indifferent areas across the state, monitor virus in
facilities with vulnerable populations within a
specific sewer shed and provide timely
information to inform response plans at state andlocal levels to curtail transmission and target
public health interventions. Michigan Department
of Health and Human Service launched acollaborative project between The Michigan
Department of Environment, Great Lakes andEnergy (EGLE), Michigan State University (MSU),
and existing statewide qPCR laboratories network
to detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater via astandardize method. Dr Joan Rose’s lab at MSU, as
the lead laboratory, provides training for the local
health department and university laboratory staff
to monitor wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 using
droplet digital (dd)PCR methods and conduct thewastewater surveillance for the wastewater
utilities around Michigan State and sewer or
manholes around MSU dormitories. In addition,
together with the Global Water Pathogen Project(GWPP) and supported by PATH, we aredeveloping the global data center called
Wastewater Sphere (SARS public healthenvironmental response), which creates a global
database for SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillancemaps. The data will also be visualized on
dynamic/updated maps on a global and country
scale with options to zoom in regionally at a spatial
level that will protect the anonymity of the facility
and enable examination of the spatial andtemporal trends of SARS-CoV-2. For further
information please visit the GWPP website(https://www.waterpathogens.org/about-wsphere).

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Applying
Quantitative
Microbial Risk
Assessment andWastewater-Based
Epidemiology to Mass
Gathering Risk
Control andCommunication-

Article contributed by Michio Murakami 1,*, Masaaki
Kitajima 2, Seiya Imoto 3
1 Fukushima Medical University; * michio@fmu.ac.jp
2 Hokkaido University
3 The University of Tokyo

Since April 2020, the volunteer researchers,
including the authors, have been working together
to conduct a solution-focused infection risk
analysis for COVID-19 at mass gatherings such as
sports events and festivals. The name of the teamis MARCO (MAss gathering Risk COntrol and
COmmunication). MARCO is a multidisciplinary
team of researchers from various fields such asenvironmental science, risk science, medicine,
statistical mathematics, and so on. Researchers
are from universities such as the University ofTokyo, Fukushima Medical University, Hokkaido
University, and research institutes such as the
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Scienceand Technology, several medical institutions, andcompanies such as Kao Corporation and NVIDIA
Japan. They have been conducting a quantitative
microbial risk assessment for spectators andevaluation of the effectiveness of preventive
measures at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo
Olympics and Paralympics scheduled for July 2021,
which was recently published in Microbial Risk
Analysis (doi: 10.1016/j.mran.2021.100162).
Furthermore, they also aim to evaluate aneffective COVID-19 testing system for athletes andstaff, and to propose preventive measures basedon wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for
individual
facilities
includingtheOlympic/Paralympic athletes’ village. One of theadvantages of WBE is that the infection of SARSCoV-2 variants within a community can beeffectively monitored through genetic analysis of
SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. In fact, a researchteam involving MARCO members has succeeded in
identifying variants in wastewater via nextgeneration sequencing analysis. WBE has been
attracting remarkable attention of researchersand practitioners from different disciplines inmass gathering risk control and communication.
MARCO is rapidly deepening its solution-focusedresearch and simultaneously advancing social
implementation.

A manual for SARSCoV-2 gene detection
from sewage has been
issued in Japan- Article credit Ryo Honda, Eiji Haramoto, Masaaki Kitajima,
Akihiko Hata, Hiroyuki Katayama, and Daisuke Sano

In March 2021, COVID-19 Task Force (TF) of Japan
Society on Water Environment (JSWE) issued amanual for SARS-CoV-2 gene detection fromsewage in collaboration with the Japan Institute of
Wastewater Engineering and Technology. The
detection method needs to be selected based on
multiple factors, including accuracy, detection
sensitivity, available equipment, consumables
costs, manpower, number of samples, etc. Thismanual describes a sequence of procedures formeasuring SARS-CoV-2 gene in sewage, fromsample collection and transfer, to process control
preparation, virus concentration, RNA extraction,
reverse transcription, and quantitative PCR, with
their pros and cons. The safety issues during themeasurement are also included. This manualemphasizes the importance of process control,
because the wastewater quality varies with thetime and location and can affect the recovery
efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 gene from sewage. The_________Pg5

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JSWE COVID-19 TF expects that this manual willserve as a reference guide for local government
and private companies which are interested in
WBE for COVID-19 in Japan.
If you have any questions, please contact thefollowing people:
Ryo
Honda
(rhonda@se.kanazawa-u.ac.jp);
Daisuke Sano (daisuke.sano.e1@tohoku.ac.jp)

interested viewers the basics of the concept, theschool three times a week. In this webinar,
benefits and critical points, lessons learned fromreal-life applications, and the unsolved challenges
faced by the scientific community.
Data and Time:
13:00-14:30 GMT on June 17th
Coordinators:
Jes Clauson-Kaas, IWA Fellow, Chief Consultant,
Greater Copenhagen Water Utility, Denmark

IWA HRWM WEBINAR:

COVID-19: Protecting
communities with
wastewater-based
epidemiology- Article contributed by Jes Clauson-Kaas, Hiro Katayama
and Daisuke Sano

An effective early warning tool is of great
administrative and social significance to thecontainment of an epidemic. The progression of
infectious diseases can be considerably hampered
if early-stage interventions are taken, saving lives
as well as minimizing social and economic
disruption. As humanity faces COVID-19, one of
the biggest global public health crises in recent
decades, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE)
has been given high expectations as a promisingsurveillance tool complement to clinical testing
which had been plagued by the turnaround timeand limited capacity. Particularly, several recent
case reports have highlighted the role WBE may
play, not only at the community-level, but also at
the facility-level in issuing early warnings toprevent local outbreaks. In Denmark a
precondition for opening schools is a nasal swab
test twice a week for all pupils. There is hope that
this could be replaced by testing the sewage fromfour case reports were presented to share with

Hiro Katayama, IWA Fellow, IWA HRWM SG PastChair, IWA COVID-19 Task Force, The University ofTokyo, Japan
Daisuke Sano, IWA HRWM SG Secretary, Tohoku
University, Japan
Presenters:
Dr. Walter Betancourt, University of Arizona, USA
Prof. Tong Zhang, The University of Hong Kong,
China
Dr. Xavier Litrico, Group Research and Science at
SUEZ, France
Dr. Marlene Hsu, Water Research Australia
Limited, Australia
Dr. Daniel Deere, Water Futures Pty Ltd, Australia
Link:
https://iwa-network.org/learn/covid-19protecting-communities-with-wastewater-basedepidemiology/

Become an IWA member
Not yet a member and interested in joining IWA andspecifically HRWM? Then click on the link below andsee how you can become a member of this family.
https://iwa-network.org/join/_________Pg6
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Establishing an Automated System for Genomic
Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater-Article Credit: Masaaki Kitajima 1,*, Ryo Iwamoto 2
1 Hokkaido University; * mkitajima@eng.hokudai.ac.jp
2 Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

In Japan, there have been fewer reported cases of COVID-19 per capita than in many other countries, andtherefore, detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Japanese wastewater has been challenging because of low virus
concentrations. Hokkaido University and Shionogi & Co., Ltd. entered into a collaborative research
agreement in October 2020 to develop a virus detection method with increased sensitivity. As a result of thecollaborative research, we have successfully developed a highly sensitive method for SARS-CoV-2 detection
in wastewater. Our next step is the societal implementation of wastewater-based epidemiology to monitor
COVID-19, which requires the establishment of a high-throughput analysis system of the collected
wastewater samples. For this purpose, Hokkaido University and Shionogi started collaboration with Robotic
Biology Institute, Inc. (RBI), iLAC Co., Ltd. RBI has the technology for automated SARS-CoV-2
detection/quantification and library preparation for next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis using
LabDroid “Maholo”, a versatile humanoid robot made in Japan; iLAC is capable of elucidating genomic
information (e.g., viral genome mutations) based on massive NGS analysis. In order to validate the automatedsystem for genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, the project team has started large-scale
wastewater surveillance based on the cooperation of sample collection by Osaka Prefecture. The analysis
service is scheduled to launch in May 2021.
Related links:
Establishing an automated system for the analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater:
https://www.global.hokudai.ac.jp/blog/establishing-an-automated-system-for-the-analysis-of-sars-cov-2in-wastewater/
Wastewater surveillance to monitor COVID-19 starts in Osaka Prefecture
https://www.global.hokudai.ac.jp/blog/wastewater-surveillance-to-monitor-covid-19-starts-in-osakaprefecture/

Maasaki Kitajima

Ryo Iwamoto_________Pg7
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Getting to know the YWP Chapter from Japan(Japan-YWP)
Article credit: Asami Nagao, Vice-Chair of Japan-YWP, and committee members.
The YWP Country Chapter was established in March 2010 with the support of IWA Japan National Committee,
Japan Society on Water Environment (JSWE), and Japan Water Works Association (JWWA). We aim todevelop a national and international network for young water professionals to actively engage and allowing
them to be empowered to contribute to various solutions. We have held symposiums and workshops tocreate opportunities to have discussions with young water professionals in different water sectors and sharethe various knowledge. The Japan-YWP Country Chapter consists of 26 steering committee members, withover 503 registered members since January 2021.
Three online events have been held in 2020. The first one, entitled: “First step of Water sector”, aimed to
introduce interesting points of the water sector for students and young workers of the water sector. Anotherone was “What can we learn from sewage”. The detection method of the COVID-19 virus from sewage wasa hot topic and we wanted to know what information we can get from sewage, not only the virus but also
medicines and microbes. The last event was “Treasure on sewage”. Sewer resources (e.g. nitrogen,phosphorus) are able to be used for agriculture but they are not widely used, so we introduced some successcases in Japan where local governments and farmers are united. This year, YWP- Japan already held two
online events and are planning other new events.
Some of our recent years’ activities include: In 2018, IWA WWCC was held in Tokyo and Japan-YWP organizeda workshop “Post SDGs Future Vision Call”. The participants talked about Future Vision as for post SDGs withlong-term perspective and discussed what social systems and technologies should be developed. The samenight, we gathered with international YWPs to get to know one another. In 2019, we established a working
group “water related SDGs”. We discussed not only targets in Goal 6 but all 169 targets and how it relates towater to achieve the goals. Finally, we published a report which introduces how to utilize the SDGs in thewater sector.
“Water” is related to many sectors, and the water sector has various categories like water supply, sewage,
water environment, macro and micro. It is a big advantage to get an opportunity to interact with YWPs who
have different backgrounds and to motivate and inspire each other. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, wehave been exploring what Japan-YWP can provide online, and our immediate goal is to increase international
collaboration and activities. If you are interested in Japan-YWP, please contact us! (japanywp@gmail.com)

Online event in
2020

Workshop in 2018 IWA WWCC_________Pg8
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Call for papers
Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Special Issue: Multiomic approaches in the microbiome and microbial ecology of health anddiseaseSubmission Deadline: 6-8 Months
Advances in microbiome research have provided insights into microbial taxonomic membership andmicrobial ecology in health and various disease phenotypes. The field has also benefited from the applicationof other ‘omics including meta-(transcriptomics), meta-(proteomics) and metabolomics for thecharacterization of transcriptional and translational activities within microbial communities. Most
microbiome studies, thus far, have applied a single-omics approach, and few have shown the utility of
combining various ‘omics datasets to understand microbial membership and function. Challenges exist for
multiomics data generation, integration, normalization, database selection, data storage and dissemination.
The Special Issue welcomes studies of the microbiome as well as the microbial ecology of health and diseaseusing multiomics approaches. Sample types may include, but are not limited to those originating fromhuman, animal or environment (e.g., built, soil, water and wastewater). Articles describing one or several ofthe mentioned challenges in the field of multiomics are also welcomed.
In order to be considered for inclusion in this Special Issue, please send an email message to both Co-Editors
including a short abstract (250 words) and a list of the possible co-authors of the paper, as well as a list of 5
keywords that describe the content of the manuscript.
Keywords:
Health and disease; Meta-transcriptomics; Meta-proteomics; Metabolomics; microbiome; Multiomics;
Viromics
Guest Editors:
Dr. Tasha Marie Santiago-Rodriguez
Affiliation: Diversigen Inc., 2450 Holcombe Blvd, Suite BCMA, 77021 Houston, TX, USA
E-Mail: trodriguez@diversigen.com
Homepage: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tasha-m-santiago-rodriguez-ph-d-117aa6108/
Interests: Modern and ancient human microbiomes, viromes and resistomes in association with health anddisease, development of standards in microbiome research, indicators of water quality, environmental
microbiology, and bacteriophage biology and ecology
Dr. Gary Toranzos
Affiliation: Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00932
Email: gary.toranzos@upr.edu; gatoranzos@hotmail.com
Homepage: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gary-Toranzos
Interests: Environmental microbiology, microbial ecology, indicators of fecal contamination, ancient
microbiomes and viromes, virology
Examples can be found at:https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms/special_issues/pre-mRNA_splicing
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms/special_issues/Transcription_Factors_Environmental(Please read the "Special Issue Information" and "Keywords" sections).
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Sewage as element
pyramid of COVID-19

of

the

surveillance

Article credit: Gertjan Medema, Leo Heijnen, Goffe Elsinga, Jeroen Langeveld, Remy Schilperoort,
Johan Post, Miranda de Graaf, Evelien de Schepper, Ewout Fanoy, Olaf Duin, Nick Ivens, Mariska
Ronteltap, Imke Leenen, Bert Palsma, Marion Koopmans.
The current coronavirus pandemic is a major challenge for society. Surveillance is crucial to know
where the virus is circulating and what the effects of lock-down measures are. Our first experiences inthe spring of 2020 showed that SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected in domestic wastewater. A large
proportion of people with a SARS coronavirus infection (COVID-19) also shed virus via their stool. In
some cities, the virus was already detectable in the wastewater before the first patients werediagnosed.
We are conducting a research project in the area of the city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Our
research question is the added value of sewage surveillance and whether the trends of SARS-CoV-2
RNA in sewage reflect the trends in COVID-19 infections in the district where the sewage water comesfrom. This is done by linking data underground (sewage) to data above ground (positive tests, numberof hospitalized patients etc). We collect data from various sources to compare which combination ofdata provides the most reliable information about the extent of the pandemic, the circulation of thecoronavirus and the new coronavirus variants in the city.
The research consists of the following components:
•

•
•
•
•

Investigation of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the stool of COVID-19 patients. This is done
through general practices and aims to find out how often and much people with COVID-19 also
shed virus via their stools.
Research into the types of complaints that bring people to the General Practitioner (GP), via
medical registrations in GP practices (syndromic surveillance).
‘Testing streets’ of the Municipal Public Health Service (GGD).
Measurements of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage from a number of Rotterdam neighbourhoods,
geographically matched with the other surveillance data.
Comparing the genetic makeup of viruses in sewage and patients.

To collect and analyse data on each of the components, Erasmus MC, GGD, GP practices and RIVM
work closely with KWR Water Research Institute, Water Boards, Foundation for Applied Research on
Water Management (STOWA), Partners4UrbanWater and Royal Haskoning DHV (RHDHV). This short
popular article aims to provide an overview of the status of the project.
Stool testing
In order to be able to relate the amount of virus in the sewage water to the number of people whohave a coronavirus infection, it is important to know how many virus particles someone excrete in thestool when they are infected with SARS-CoV-2. We asked patients who have a positive SARS-CoV-2 test
to fill in a questionnaire and submit a jar of faeces. We then tested the stool to determine how many_________Pg10
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virus particles it contains. We also looked at the genetic information of these viruses to determine
whether they are comparable to the viruses found in sewage water.
Thanks to the efforts of the GP practices and the department of GP medicine, the stools of more than
140 people have already been tested and a questionnaire received. This shows that 55% of people
were positive for SARS-CoV-2 in their stools, sometimes more than two weeks after becoming ill (Figure1). Of the patients enrolled in the study, 45% had diarrhoea or nausea. 52% of this subgroup hadcoronavirus in the stool. The first reports of the British variant (B1.1.7) came in December 2020. A large
proportion of infections in the Netherlands are now caused by this variant.

Figure 1 - Amounts of virus in the stool of COVID-19 patients. The dots indicate the mean amount of virus per
patient and mean amounts per time point are shown in red.

Figure 2 - Amounts of virus in the stool per week number; Week 42, 2020 to Week 7, 2021. The dots indicate
the amount of virus per patient and average amounts per week; numbers are shown in red.

Syndromic surveillance
To determine whether an increase in the number of SARS-CoV-2 positive people in a neighbourhood
results in an increase in patients contacting the GP because of respiratory complaints, we monitor theclinical registration of GP practices. We do this via the Rijnmond Healthy database (IPCI) of the
Department of General Practice and the Department of Medical Informatics. This database contains
all healthcare data that the general practitioner records as standard practice. The data are sent to theresearch database without the persons being traceable. We have submitted our research to theSupervisory Board of the Rijnmond Healthy database and have received permission to work with thisdata. The extraction of the data for the whole of 2020 has already been done. The data can now befurther analysed.
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Clinical testing: drive-through test lanes
In the Netherlands, people with respiratory complaints are now readily tested for the SARS-CoV-2. The
nose / throat swabs are collected by the GGD (Public Health Service) and tested in virologicallaboratories (including Erasmus MC). We monitor the number of SARS-CoV-2 positive tests for theneighbourhoods where we also test the sewage. By comparing this data from the test lanes withsewage measurements, we can validate whether sewage surveillance can be a sensitive instrument for
detecting SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. For a number of clinical isolates, we will determine the genetic
information to investigate whether they are comparable to the SARS-CoV-2 RNA that we find in the
sewage water.
For all 8 neighbourhoods, the number of positive tests in the GGD test streets per week per 10,000
inhabitants is shown (Figure 3). The three areas in which the GP practices participate are Ommoord,
Rotterdam South (Katendrecht, Kop van Zuid, Afrikaanderwijk, Zuidplein, Tarwewijk, Bloemhof,
Hillesluis), and Rozenburg.

Figure 3 – Time trends in reported SARS-CoV-2 cases per 10,000 inhabitants in the 8 city neighbourhoods.

The GGD has now tested 188,346 people in the neighbourhoods that are monitored within the project,of which 30,271 were positive for SARS-CoV-2. In October there was a clear peak in the number ofcoronavirus infections in Rotterdam. Seen for the Netherlands as a whole, there was still a peak in_________Pg12
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December, but it was relatively small for Rotterdam. Erasmus MC has determined the genetic
characteristics of the virus present in more than 1,300 SARS-CoV-2 tests from Rotterdam. This will be
determined for many more samples in the coming months.
Sewage surveillance
Sewage surveillance is a simple and fast way to monitor the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in an entire cityor district. We mainly investigate how sewage water surveillance has added value compared to othermethods of surveillance (such as GGD test streets). The validation of the sewage water surveillance on
the basis of "above-ground" data requires a good geographical overlap between the sewage watermeasurements and the GP areas. In the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region, we have selected a number ofneighbourhoods with a good overlap between the sewerage system and general practices. In addition,
we measure the sewage as it arrives at the Dokhaven sewage treatment plant from various districts
and can link it anonymously to the GGD test data from those districts. The selected research locations
are 3 sewage pumping stations (RG) where the sewage water from districts is collected to be pumped
to the sewage treatment plant (RG Ommoord, RG Katendrecht and RG Pretorialaan) and 2 sewage
treatment plants (RWZI Rozenburg and RWZI Dokhaven). At WWTP Dokhaven, 4 sewage pipes comein from different parts of the city, which are sampled separately (see Figure 4).

Figure 4 - Sample collection locations. The research areas around WWTP Dokhaven are indicated in colour.

This set-up makes it possible to investigate to what extent sewage water surveillance is a good
representation of the number of cases in a neighbourhood. Sampling cabinets have been placed at the
sewage sampling locations since the summer of 2020.
In the sewers we have seen the second wave rise, slowly fall and in the last weeks we have seen an
increase again. We correct the measured concentrations for the influx of rainwater, industrial waterand other water that does not come from households and therefore domestic waste water. The
complete set of measurement results is included in Figure 5, in which the SARS-CoV-2 measurements
are expressed as the number of SARS-CoV-2-N2 gene copies per ml of domestic waste water. The_________Pg13
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applied standardization method uses accurately measured daily volumes of sewage water with theconductivity of the sewage sample as an independent control measurement. Thanks to this method,days on which the sample is not representative of the population, for example because lesswastewater has been discharged due to a pumping failure, are filtered out. This ensures a high qualityof the measurement series.
During the study, we have been analysing the relationship between sewer data and GGD test results
every two weeks since October. This analysis showed that in the period September-October 2020, thesewer measurements were approximately 6 days ahead of the GGD test results. As time progressed
and the GGD testing capacity was expanded, it turned out that sewage was only about 1 day ahead.
The data from the source and contact research also showed that people come to the test street more
quickly. Just after the summer it took an average of 6 days from the first symptoms to the test result,in December it was about 11/2 days. When we corrected the GGD test street data to the first day ofillness, we saw a strong overlap with the sewer data, especially in the increase of SARS-CoV-2 inSeptember and October, see Figure 6.
Not everyone who carries the virus goes to the GGD test lanes or GP, but everyone does go to thetoilet. At the end of 2020, the GGD had indications that relatively few people from a specific cityneighbourhood came to the test lanes. The measured concentrations in this neighbourhood’s sewer
also indicated that there was more virus circulation among the population. The GGD then decided to
expand the test facilities in this neighbourhood with test buses.

Figure 5 - Normalized concentrations of COVID-19 in sewage water in the city districts (line colours correspondto colour areas in Figure 4).

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Figure 6 - Trends in normalized SARS-CoV-2 measurements in sewage and GGD positive tests, corrected for the
first day of illness.

The high correlation between sewer data and GGD data (Figure 6) makes it possible to draw up fairly
reliable models with which the number of positive tests can be calculated on the basis of sewer data.
An example of this is included in Figure 7.

Figure 7 - Calculated number of positive tests based on sewerage measurement compared to the reported
number of positive tests.

The calculated number of positive tests corresponds well with the number of positive tests registeredby the GGD. In the figure a comparison has also been made with the signal values from the Dutch
national corona dashboard based on the number of positive tests, but scaled to the size of the_________Pg15
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underlying area. With a calculation model based on sewer measurements, the same signal value isdetermined as follows from the GGD tests. An interesting period in the data is the end of December
2020. During that period, the number of tests increased (people possibly wanted to celebrate
Christmas safely with family) and with it the number of positive tests, but the percentage of positive
tests dropped sharply. In those same weeks, sewage showed very little increase, indicating that the"Christmas Peak" in this area was likely the result of higher numbers of tests. This makes it clear thatwhen interpreting GGD tests, willingness to test must always be taken into account, while sewer
measurements do not depend on this willingness to test. This, once again, demonstrates the power ofsewer measurements.
Sequencing
To investigate whether the viruses in the sewage water are comparable to those of COVID-19 patientsin Rotterdam, we compared the genetic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 in 120 sewage samples withthose of 1,300 patients. We also investigated whether the new corona variants are present in the
sewage water. We find a similar diversity of viruses in the sewage as in the patients. This again showsthat the sewage is a good representation of what is happening above ground. It was also possible todetect the British variant (and other variants) in the sewage. We do this by examining a number ofsignature mutations that are different between the original SARS-CoV-2 and that of the British variant.

Figure 8 – N501Y signature mutation in patients (gray) and in wastewater (blue and red).

In Figure 8 we see the presence of one of these mutations in sewage water from Rotterdam andBergschenhoek compared to the number of patients infected with a coronavirus with the same
mutation. It is important to realize that we can say that we have found the mutation in the sewage
water, but with this technique we cannot say exactly how much of this variant virus is in the sewage
water. To make this possible, a different technique is now being developed.

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Figure 9 - Sequences of SARS-CoV-2 coronaviruses isolated from sewage (red) and patients (black andturquoise) displayed in a phylogenetic tree.

Figure 9 shows a phylogenetic tree with all viruses found in COVID-19 patients (black and turquoise)
and in sewage water (red) in Rotterdam. If viruses are genetically similar you can find them together
in the tree, if they differ more from each other they are further apart in the tree. The above analyses
have also shown that sewage often contains combinations of different coronavirus variants. So, sewer
surveillance can also offer added value for early detection of, for example, new virus variants.
This research was conducted by a consortium consisting of: Erasmus MC, Rotterdam (Dept.
Viroscience, Huisartsengeneeskunde, Medische informatica, Medische Microbiologie en
infectieziekten), GP practices of Rijnmond Gezond, GGD-Rotterdam Rijnmond, RIVM Center
Epidemiology and Infectious Disease Surveillance, KWR Water Research Institute, STOWA, Waterschap
Hollandse Delta, Hoogheemraadschap van Schieland en de Krimpenerwaard, Hoogheemraadschap van
Delfland, Partners4UrbanWater, Royal Haskoning DHV.
THIS RESEARCH IS FUNDED BY: ERASMUSMC FOUNDATION, ADESSIUM FOUNDATION, HORIZON
2020 GRANT VEO, STOWA, THE WATERSHIP AND THE TOP CONSORTIUM WATER TECHNOLOGY FORKNOWLEDGE AND INNOVATION OF THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS_________Pg17
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News from IWA Headquarters
The best 8 scientific posters from IWA’s Digital Congress
The poster prize winners have been announced in a plenary session during the second week of theDigital World Water Congress, which took place between 24 May – 4 June 2021. The sessions,presentations and posters were organised in six overarching themes covering the full water cycle.
IWA Membership Awards winners announced at Digital Congress
The winners of the IWA Membership Awards have been announced by IWA President Tom
Mollenkopf, during a plenary session on Tuesday 1 June to mark the beginning of the second week of
the Digital World Water Congress.
Four inspiring water leaders win prestigious IWA Awards
Inspirational academic Marcos von Sperling has won the acclaimed IWA Global Water Award, duringa presentation at IWA’s Digital World Water Congress. The award recognises an innovative leader
who has made a significant contribution to a world in which water is wisely managed.
IWA Annual Report 2019-2020
IWA 2019-2020: Vibrant and Evolving. This past year is one which IWA can look back on and see
excellent and important progress for our Association. There have certainly been positive
developments in our sector – whose essential role has been further underlined by the Covid-19
pandemic.
Australian water industry expert becomes IWA President
Leading water consultant Tom Mollenkopf has today become the new President of the International
Water Association, taking office following his election in Lisbon, Portugal back in October 2019. Mr.
Mollenkopf, who trained as a lawyer and holds an MBA, has been a substantive and well-regarded
figure in the water sector for the past 20 years.
Water experts become IWA Vice Presidents
Renowned academic Enrique Cabrera has been elected as the new Senior Vice President of theInternational Water Association. Professor Cabrera has over 20 years of experience in the field ofurban water management. Hamanth Kasan has also been elected as IWA Vice President. Mr. Kasan isgeneral manager of Rand Water in South Africa.
New IWA YWP Chapter in Sweden
A new IWA Young Water Professionals (IWA YWP) Chapter in Sweden was formed on 8 April 2021.
This new IWA YWP chapter is open to all water related professionals in Sweden, aged 35 and below,
who are IWA members either individually or through their employer.
Guidance on Preparing Water Service Delivery Plans: A manual for small to medium-sized water
utilities in Africa and similar settings
This publication is a guideline or how-to manual on preparing water service delivery plans with afocus on small to medium sized organised water utilities having with approximately 5,000 to over
100,000 connections mainly in areas with limited capacity and resources.

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IWA Learn

The place for learning & professional development in the water sector
Professionals in the water sector require continuous development to be able to stay abreast with thechanging environment circumstances. No matter in which stage of your career, IWA provides you withguidance and opportunities to build up the competences required to succeed. This includes a set oftools on how to develop your career, as well as opportunity of professional updating, learning, training
and networking. To learn more, visit the IWA Learn platform: https://iwa-network.org/iwa-learn/.

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News from IWA Publishing
Microplastics in Water and Wastewater - 2nd Edition
Hrissi Karapanagioti Ioannis K Kalavrouziotis
ISBN: 978178906168
October 2020 • 300 pages • Paperback
IWA Members price: £60.00 / US$ 90.00 / € 75.00
https://www.iwapublishing.com/books/9781789061680/microplasticswater-and-wastewate r-2nd-edition
The book covers in detail the topic of microplastics in water and wastewater.
There is a growing interest in the scientific community in microplastics. Mostof the studies identified the problems due to microplastics in the marine
environment. However, considering that most microplastics are produced onland, similar problems should be encountered in freshwater systems andwastewater treatment plants that at the same time are the sources of marine
microplastics.
Environmental Technologies to Treat Sulfur Pollution: Principles and Engineering
Piet Lens
ISBN: 9781789060959
August 2020 • 544 pages • Paperback
IWA Members price: £94.00/ US$ 141.00/ € 118.00
Also available as an Open Access ePDF
https://www.iwapublishing.com/books/9781789060959/environmentaltechnologies-treat-sulfur-pollution-principles-and-engineering-2nd
This book may serve both as an advanced textbook for undergraduate andgraduate students majoring in environmental sciences, technology orengineering as well as a handbook for tertiary educators, researchers,
professionals and policymakers who conduct research and practices in thesulfur related fields. It is essential reading for consulting companies when
dealing with sulfur related environmental (bio)technologies.
Physical and Chemical Separation in Water and Wastewater Treatment
Norihito Tambo; Koichi Ogasawara
ISBN: 9781789061291
November 2020 • 750 pages • Paperback
IWA Members price: £124.00/ $186.00/ €155.00
https://www.iwapublishing.com/books/9781789061291/physical-andchemical-separation-water-and-wastewater-treatment
Based upon half a century of research by the authors, Physical and Chemical
Separation in Water and Wastewater Treatment addresses the whole water
cycle spectrum, from global hydrological cycle, urban-regional metabolic
cycle to individual living and production cycle, with respect to quality control
technology based on fundamental science and theories. For every treatment
process, basic scientific and environmental physical and chemical natures are
explained with respect to those of water and its impurities. Health danger and risks for human beings
are also covered.
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Selected journal papers
A systematic review of microorganisms as indicators of recreational water quality in natural anddrinking water systems
José Luis Lugo; Elkyn Rafael Lugo; Mario de la Puente
Journal of Water and Healthhttps://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2020.179
Editorial: bacterial antibiotic resistance in the water environment
Gary Toranzos; Maronel Steyn; Tasha Santiago-Rodriguez; Daisuke Sano
Journal of Water Policy
https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2019.160
Association between exposure to drinking water disinfection byproducts and adverse pregnancy
outcomes in South Africa(OPEN ACCESS)
Funanani Mashau, Esper Jacobeth Ncube, Kuku Voyi
Journal of Water and Healthhttps://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2020.214
Journal of Water & Health: Special Issue
What do we know about antimicrobial resistance inaquatic environments? On the release of an important
new Special Issue, Editors of Journal of Water & Healthtell us more about this crucial topic in water and sanitation. To learn more, read the author blog
here: https://www.iwapublishing.com/news/special-issue-water-health-author-blog-post.

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IWA HRWM NEWS