A review of pathogen removal from municipal wastewater using advanced oxidation processes: Agricultural application, regrowth risks, and new perspectives

Abstract

Pathogen removal in wastewater offers a chance to recover water and nutrients for crop production, reducing environmental contamination and public health risks. However, the risk of pathogens regrowing in treated effluents can endanger public health if reused in agriculture, attracting stringent reuse standards. While advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) promise to reduce pathogens, eliminating regrowth potential in AOP-treated effluents requires further scrutiny. This review aimed to summarize the available evidence on understanding pathogen reduction and regrowth potential in AOP-treated effluents, following best practices for scoping reviews like the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA). It covers recent pathogen studies under AOPs, current AOP investigations, the impact of AOP dosage and retention time on pathogen control, and challenges in reusing AOP-treated effluents for crop production. Additionally, it identifies areas needing improvement or complementary treatments for pathogen-free effluents with no regrowth potential. The review concludes by summarizing key findings and suggesting research areas for further exploration.

Keywords

• Advanced oxidation processes
• Pathogen reduction
• Pathogen regrowth
• Wastewater pathogens
• Wastewater reuse challenges
• Wastewater treatment