Abstract: Because of the widespread of virus contamination in water source, the survival of virus can live in water for a longer time along with a stronger resistance to environment and water disinfectant than enterobacterial and lower infective dose, hence the risk of water borne diseases caused by virus contamination in drinking water could not be ignored, and a higher requirement on the safety of drinking water supplies must be put forward. The indicators for determination of infectious virus in drinking water have been gradually put into the standard and guideline in WHO, Europe, the US and other developed countries. The current status of virus contamination in drinking water and the progress on research of indicators for virus contamination and relevant standards are reviewed.