Conventional wastewater treatment does not completely remove and/or inactive viruses; consequently,
viruses excreted by the population can be detected in the environment. This study was undertaken to
investigate the distribution and seasonality of human viruses and faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in a river
catchment located in a typical Mediterranean climate region and to discuss future trends in relation to
climate change. Sample matrices included river water, untreated and treated wastewater from a
wastewater treatment plant within the catchment area, and seawater from potentially impacted bathing
water. Five viruses were analysed in the study. Human adenovirus (HAdV) and JC polyomavirus (JCPyV)
were analysed as indicators of human faecal contamination of human pathogens; both were reported in
urban wastewater (mean values of 106 and 105 GC/L, respectively), river water (103 and 102 GC/L) and
seawater (102 and 101 GC/L). Human Merkel Cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), which is associated with Merkel
Cell carcinoma, was detected in 75% of the raw wastewater samples (31/37) and quantified by a newly
developed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay with mean concentrations of 104 GC/L.
This virus is related to skin cancer in susceptible individuals and was found in 29% and 18% of river water
and seawater samples, respectively. Seasonality was only observed for norovirus genogroup II (NoV GGII),
which was more abundant in cold months with levels up to 104 GC/L in river water. Human hepatitis E
virus (HEV) was detected in 13.5% of the wastewater samples when analysed by nested PCR (nPCR).
Secondary biological treatment (i.e., activated sludge) and tertiary sewage disinfection including chlorination,
flocculation and UV radiation removed between 2.22 and 4.52 log10 of the viral concentrations.
Climate projections for the Mediterranean climate areas and the selected river catchment estimate
general warming and changes in precipitation distribution. Persistent decreases in precipitation during
summer can lead to a higher presence of human viruses because river and sea water present the highest
viral concentrations during warmer months. In a global context, wastewater management will be the key
to preventing environmental dispersion of human faecal pathogens in future climate change scenarios.