Effects of water matrix on virus inactivation using common virucidal techniques for condensate urine disinfection

• All virus inactivation in condensate water were lower than the control (in sterilized DI water).
• Ammonia nitrogen had greater impact on chlorine disinfection than urea and nitrate.
• UV/TiO2 disinfection was hindered by urea but promoted by nitrate and ammonia nitrogen.
• The nitrate and ammonia nitrogen had hardly any influence on UV disinfection.
• UV disinfection can be considered to be more desirable disinfectant to condensate urine.

Three common virucidal techniques (chlorine, UV and UV/TiO2) were applied to inactivate virus (MS2 and Phi X174) in condensate water after the evaporation of source-separated urine for reclaimed water. The inactivation efficiencies were compared with the results of previous studies, with the emphasis on the analysis of water matrix effects. Results showed that all virus inactivation in condensate water were lower than the control (in sterilized DI water). As for UV/TiO2 disinfection, both nitrate and ammonia nitrogen could promote slightly viral inactivation, while the inhibition by urea was dominant. Similarly, ammonia nitrogen had greater impacts on chlorine disinfection than urea and nitrate. In contrast, all water matrices (urea, nitrate and ammonia nitrogen) had little influence on UV disinfection. Based on the findings in this study, UV disinfection could be recommended for disinfecting the reclaimed water from the evaporation of source-separated urine.