Science of the Total Environment
Volume 751; 10 January 2021

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in raw and treated wastewater in Germany – Suitability for COVID-19 surveillance and potential transmission risks

AndreasWeber,SabrinaSchiwy,VolkerLinnemann,MarkusB rinkmann,MarekWidera,CarolaGreve,AxelJanke,HennerH ollert,ThomasWintgens,SandraCiesek

Highlights
•The first study that reports the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater in Germany using RT-qPCR.
•The presence of SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed by sequencing, but also the risk of false-positive results has been elucidated.
•In raw wastewater, 3.0 to 20 gene equivalents/mL was found in raw wastewater.
•The replication potential tests were negative for wastewater samples.
•Sanger sequencing was required to differentiate the genetic pattern clearly.