Climate change increases sewage virus risks in water

Climate change is increasing the risk of exposure to sewage-associated viruses in water bodies due to more frequent heavy rainstorms and heatwaves. These conditions can overwhelm sewer systems, leading to the release of untreated sewage into rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. New research shows that certain viruses can survive in water for days, raising health concerns for those exposed. While typical wastewater treatment is effective, the release of raw sewage poses a much greater risk to public health. Scientists are developing methods to better detect infectious viruses in the environment. Their findings indicate that enteric viruses can remain infectious in seawater for up to three days, highlighting the need for improved sewage treatment practices globally.