Environmental and Ecosystem Services in the Post-Pandemic Period

Recently, insufficient infrastructure, poor sanitation & hygiene conditions, air pollution, malnutrition, occupational & environmental infections have increased. The COVID-19 outbreak is the latest of the viral outbreaks that have occurred over the past 20 years. This pandemic is expected to have many effects on international relations, commercial activities, socio-cultural habits, individual behavior patterns and psychological conducts. Another expected effect is likely to be in the environment and ecosystem services implemented in this area. According to the available data and information regarding the corona virus, there is no definite information about COVID-19 being transmitted through domestic wastewater and/or wastewater-interfered waters. In addition, the COVID-19 outbreak does not require additional treatment in the existing municipal water treatment plants in which filtration and disinfection are applied. Final chlorination application is sufficient in terms of microbiological quality and safety of drinking water. After biological wastewater treatment in domestic wastewater, disinfection with UV or ozone is required in order to remove disease-causing microorganisms. It is important for the employees of water, wastewater and solid waste collection, distribution, and treatment facilities to apply appropriate hygiene rules through the use of personal protection equipment preferred by healthcare workers. Measures should be taken against the risk of pathogenic microorganism spreading via microdroplets released from the central wastewater treatment plants located within urban settlements. Joint action plans should be encouraged with the support of voluntary organizations in order to ensure sustainability through protecting worldwide wildlife and ecologically critical reserve areas.