Movement of viruses after artificial recharge

Results of human enteric virus movement through soil and groundwater aquifers after artificial recharge using wastewater are presented. The penetration through the recharge soil of indigenous viruses from treatment plant effluent was found to be much greater than that of a seeded vaccine poliovirus. Echovirus type 11 from wastewater was detected at a depth of 9.0 m in groundwater from a bore located 14 m from the recharge basin whereas seed poliovirus was not isolated beyond a depth of 1.5 m below the recharge basin. It was concluded that data on enteric virus survival in groundwater were required if safe abstraction distances were to be determined.