- Audience
- Utilities, public health teams, environmental laboratories and researchers
- Region
- Spain / EU
- Level
- Scientific paper
- Reading time
- 13 min
Related topics: Wastewater-based epidemiology, SARS-CoV-2, RSV, Influenza A, Enteric viruses, crAssphage, PMMoV, Somatic coliphages
Executive summary
- Weekly influent wastewater monitoring covered SARS-CoV-2, RSV and influenza A from October 2021 to February 2023.
- The study also followed pathogenic human enteric viruses for one year and measured crAssphage, PMMoV and somatic coliphages.
- SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in all samples, while RSV and influenza A showed winter peaks that aligned with clinical trends.
- The paper highlights how normalization choices and wastewater parameters influence correlations with health surveillance data.
What the paper covers
| Area | Paper focus | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Respiratory surveillance | SARS-CoV-2, RSV and influenza A were quantified in influent wastewater. | Supports multi-virus WBE programs beyond a single pathogen. |
| Enteric virus monitoring | Rotavirus, astrovirus, norovirus, HAV and HEV were assessed during a one-year period. | Connects routine wastewater surveillance with broader viral risk context. |
| Faecal viral indicators | crAssphage, PMMoV and somatic coliphages were compared as normalization or indicator signals. | Helps teams decide which indicators belong in method and reporting design. |
Relevance for water programs
- Frame WBE programs as multi-pathogen systems rather than one-off assays.
- Define how faecal indicators, physical-chemical parameters and clinical data should be compared.
- Plan traceable reporting for sampling date, site, target, normalization approach and interpretation.
- Connect viral surveillance with laboratory workflows, CoA review and customer or public-health communication.
Primary source
Implementation checklist
- ✓ Frame WBE programs as multi-pathogen systems rather than one-off assays.
- ✓ Define how faecal indicators, physical-chemical parameters and clinical data should be compared.
- ✓ Plan traceable reporting for sampling date, site, target, normalization approach and interpretation.
- ✓ Connect viral surveillance with laboratory workflows, CoA review and customer or public-health communication.
Related AquaVerify resources
Recommended next step
Share your matrix, monitoring objective, reporting need and expected decision context so AquaVerify can help map products, workflow and traceability.
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FAQ
Does this page replace the original paper?
No. This page summarizes the technical relevance and links to the DOI or official source so teams can review the full methodology, data and limitations.
Is this a product approval claim?
No. The paper is presented as scientific context. Product selection, method verification and regulatory interpretation remain dependent on matrix, laboratory scope and competent authority requirements.
How should a laboratory use it?
Use it to prepare a technical discussion around targets, indicators, sampling design, controls, reporting and traceability before changing a routine workflow.
Reference
- Inés Girón-Guzmán, Enric Cuevas-Ferrando, Regino Barranquero, Azahara Díaz-Reolid, Pablo Puchades-Colera, Irene Falcó, Alba Pérez-Cataluña and Gloria Sánchez.
- Water Research, 255 (2024) 121463. DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121463.
- Primary source: DOI