ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the methods of land application which serve as sources of human viral pollution to soil and groundwater. It discusses the factors which enhance or inhibit the viral accumulation in soils. Human viruses usually gain access to soil systems through intentional or unintentional discharges of domestic wastewater. Land treatment by overland flow also uses soils with low permeability that often have an underlying confining clay or artificial barrier to prevent percolation through the soil. Land application represents a significant disposal resource which, if properly managed, would abate pollution of surface fresh- and saltwater systems. Wellings et al. and Roy warned that land disposal of wastes posed an increased threat to human health through chemical and biological contamination of potable water supplies. No viruses were detected in the groundwater monitoring wells located on the disposal site, or near the sludge lagoons.
