Enteric Pathogen Treatment Requirements for Nonpotable Water Reuse Despite Limited Exposure Data

Exposure factors (e.g., ingestion volume and frequency) are required to establish risk-based treatment requirements (i.e., log in reduction targets (LRTs)) for enteric pathogens using quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA). However, data to characterize nonpotable exposure factors are sparse. We calculated graywater and wastewater nonpotable LRTs (corresponding to 10(-4) infections per person per year) for uses missing detailed exposure data (including showering and decorative fountain) and across a range of exposure factors. The LRTs decreased linearly toward zero as the logy transformed volume or the frequency of reuse decreased. When nonroutine exposure was included, representing either accidental ingestion from misuse or cross-connection between potable and nonpotable waters, the LRTs remained high, even as the routine ingestion volume decreased. Therefore, uses with small anticipated routine ingestion volumes (i.e., roughly <10(-5) L), e.g., domestic indoor or decorative fountain uses, share common LRTs, and further refinement of the routine exposure is of limited value. Additional data to characterize nonroutine exposures and uses with high routine ingestion, e.g., showering, remain valuable to better estimate LRTs. These results will assist regulators in the selection of LRTs for nonpotable uses that lack detailed exposure factor characterizations.