To establish a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) method for detection of common viruses in a water environment, and to assess the severity of contamination by norovirus, enterovirus, hepatitis A virus, and human adenovirus F in the Yellow River basin.

A qPCR method for detection of common viruses was established. Viruses were enriched via adsorption-elution, concentrated via ultrafiltration, and quantified by qPCR.

Twenty-two samples were collected during the high-flow season (September-October 2024) and the low-flow season (March 2025). Neither norovirus nor enterovirus was detected in the samples. Hepatitis A virus was detected in 27.27% of the samples, and human adenovirus F in 18.18%. The concentrations of the detected viruses ranged from 1.3 to 2.1 lgGC/L.

Norovirus and enterovirus are not detected while contamination by hepatitis A virus and human adenovirus F is observed in some samples. These results may provide a reference for biosafety assessment and management of water resources in the Yellow River basin.