The Strategy of Hospital Wastewater Treatment to Reduce the Risk of Virus Transmission and Environmental Pollution under COVID-19 based on Big Data

¹ South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
² Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210014, China.
³ Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.

^* Corresponding author’s e-mail:
^† These authors contributed equally.
^a 201864800342@mail.scut.edu.cn,
^b 9181310609@njau.edu.cn,
^c xie0302@mail2.gdut.edu.cn.

Abstract

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is sweeping the world starting in 2019. According to the analysis based on big data technology, the wastewater generated by hospitals hosting SARS-CoV-2 infected patients is complex in origin and composition, and contains a large number of pathogenic microorganisms and drugs, etc. Without effective treatment, it will become an important pathway for the spread of the epidemic and a source of environmental pollution, so wastewater treatment processes more effective for degrading organic matter and inactivating viruses are required. This paper investigates the improvement measures adopted for hospital wastewater treatment systems in response to COVID-19. For instance, reinforced septic tanks and fine grilles with smaller grids were used for wastewater treatment. Besides, the Moving-bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) process and the flocculation slant plate process were widely used for biochemical treatment and sedimentation processes. It is critical to increase the dosage of disinfectant since coronaviruses can be transmitted through water bodies and pose a threat to the environment and human health. Finally, a high-temperature anaerobic digestion and incineration disposal scheme can effectively inactivate sludge pathogenic bacteria and viruses for sludge generated from hospital wastewater treatment. In addition, we propose recommendations for the shortcomings and risks in this treatment system, which are important for improving the efficiency of medical wastewater containing the SARS-CoV-2 virus and stopping further virus transmission.