Survey of human virus occurrence in wastewater-recharged groundwater on Long Island

Abstract

Treated wastewater effluents and groundwater observation wells from 3 sewage recharge installations located on Long Island were assayed on a monthly basis for indigenous human enteroviruses and coliform bacteria for a period of 1 yr. Viruses were detected in groundwater at sites where recharge basins were located less than 35 feet (ca. 10.6 m) above the aquifer. Results from one of the sites indicated the horizontal transfer of viable viruses through the groundwater aquifer.