The analysis of viral pathogens in water is a major challenge due to the low levels of viruses in most samples, the technical complexity and poor recovery efficiency (sensitivity) of conventional methods, the need for cell cultures to detect infectious viruses, and the lengthy processing time and high costs of most procedures. Current research is directed at decreasing analytical time and costs, and finding alternatives to cell cultures for virus detection. We review improvements of and alternatives to conventional methods and the development, evaluation and application of new technologies, especially methods based on detection and amplification of viral nucleic acid (e.g., hybridization and polymerase chain reaction) and viral antigens (e.g., immunoenzymaticassays). The directions for future development, validation and application of these new methods are highlighted.