Water Safety Consideration of the Dual Nature of Virus in Global Urban Water Cycle: From Source to Reuse

Rapid urbanization has placed much pressure on the development of concepts and strategies for water safety management in the urban water cycle (UWC), which is closely related to the health and well-being of more than half of the global population inhabited in urban environments. This challenges our attention and will open new research areas within the scope of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 "clean water and sanitation for all". Here, we discuss the overlooked role of viromes on the development of microbial ecology and health risks in the UWC from the viewpoint of phages and viral pathogens. Considering the urgent requirement of waterborne virus management, we propose the research gaps and major challenges for monitoring and management of viromes in the UWC. We think our perspective will provide some inspirations for the public, government and research community.