REMOVAL OF WATERBORNE HUMAN ENTERIC VIRUSES AND COLIPHAGES WITH OXIDIZED COAL

Human enteric viruses and coliphages have been detected in water that has undergone what is generally considered adequate treatment, includi ng chlorination. Because small numbers of virus particles are needed f or the initiation of a productive virus infection, the presence of any number of virus particles in water resources will always be of concer n. In this investigation the ability of oxidized coal to remove viruse s from water was investigated. The oxicoal product was found to be abl e to remove not only coliphages, but also various pathogenic human vir uses from seeded water sources. Removal was dependent upon the type of virus, the period of exposure, and the concentration of oxidized coal .