Legionella occurrence in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants and risks of reclaimed wastewater reuse

Review

authored by: C. Caicedo, K. H. Rosenwinkel, M. Exner, W. Verstraete, R. Suchenwirth, P. Hartemann, R. Nogueira
Abstract: Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as confirmed but until today underestimated sources of Legionella, playing an important role in local and community cases and outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease. In general, aerobic biological systems provide an optimum environment for the growth of Legionella due to high organic nitrogen and oxygen concentrations, ideal temperatures and the presence of protozoa. However, few studies have investigated the occurrence of Legionella in WWTPs, and many questions in regards to the interacting factors that promote the proliferation and persistence of Legionella in these treatment systems are still unanswered. This critical review summarizes the current knowledge about Legionella in municipal and industrial WWTPs, the conditions that might support their growth, as well as control strategies that have been applied. Furthermore, an overview of current quantification methods, guidelines and health risks associated with Legionella in reclaimed wastewater is also discussed in depth. A better understanding of the conditions promoting the occurrence of Legionella in WWTPs will contribute to the development of improved wastewater treatment technologies and/or innovative mitigation approaches to minimize future Legionella outbreaks.
Organisation(s): Institute of Sanitary Engineering and Waste Management
External Organisation(s): University of Bonn
Ghent University
Université de Lorraine (UL)
Lower Saxony Ministry for Social Affairs, Labor, Health and Equality
Type: Review article
Journal: Water research
Volume: 149
Pages: 21-34
No. of pages: 14
ISSN: 0043-1354
Publication date: 01.02.2019
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Environmental Engineering, Civil and Structural Engineering, Ecological Modelling, Water Science and Technology, Waste Management and Disposal, Pollution
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2018.10.080 (Access: Closed)