UC Berkeley researchers have rapidly assembled a new lab that, in conjunction with public health agencies and utilities throughout the Bay Area, will test the region’s wastewater for signs of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The Water Environment Federation‘s Words on Water podcast has posted their second episode dedicated to WBE and SARS-CoV-2. In this episode In this episode FlowWorks, Inc. President Kevin Marsh discusses the increasingly popular practice of wastewater epidemiology in identifying coronavirus in communities and on college campuses. He explains that to accurately measure the presence of … More Words On Water Podcast #162: Kevin Marsh on the Role of I&I in Tracking Coronavirus
This report summarizes the findings of the Rapid expert consultation on environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater that was organized by the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health on 23 July 2020 in a virtual format. It aimed to facilitate a rapid exchange of current knowledge, experience and practices among countries that are in … More WHO – Rapid expert consultation on environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater: summary report: virtual meeting, 23 July 2020
Researchers and Innovative Technology Companies are Already Making Big Improvements Toward Scaling This Breakthrough Approach to Community Testing
“A wastewater collection system is very complex, hydraulically,” he says. “The flow rate increases and decreases throughout the day depending on whether it’s a weekend or a weekday. We know we need to adjust for the flow that’s coming to the treatment plan each day. Rainfall and infiltration can increase the flow rate while decreasing the RNA concentration.” … More Advanced Analytics Leads to Big Improvements in Sampling Wastewater for SARS-CoV-2
Environmental surveillance by testing of wastewater for evidence of pathogens has a long history of use in public health, particularly for poliovirus1 and more recently antimicrobial resistance (AMR).2 In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is being used for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 shed into wastewater from the upper gastrointestinal and upper respiratory system and via faeces. … More WHO Scientific Brief: Status of environmental surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 virus
Highlights: • SARS-CoV-2 has been found in faeces and, in some cases, urine of infected people. • Wastewater and sewage sludge from infected area can contain SARS-CoV-2 RNA. • To date, virulence of SARS−COV-2 in sewage sludge has not been determined. • Wastewater monitoring could help to understand epidemic situation of urban areas. • Identify … More SARS-CoV-2 in sewer systems and connected facilities – ScienceDirect
As 5,000 students prepared for move-in day at the University of Arizona this week, the school warned they would be tested periodically for the coronavirus. One test, though, doesn’t involve a nose swab. The university is regularly screening the sewage from each dorm, searching for traces of the virus. University of Arizona used wastewater testing … More University of Arizona used wastewater testing to detect cases of coronavirus in a dorm – The Washington Post
Highlights: • Wastewater was computationally examined as a matrix for detection of SARS-CoV-2. • One infected individual theoretically is detectable among 100 to 2,000,000 persons. • Temperature and in-sewer travel time severely impact virus detectability. • 2.1 billion people could be monitored globally in 105,600 sewage treatment plants. • Combined use of WBE followed by … More Computational analysis of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 surveillance by wastewater-based epidemiology locally and globally: Feasibility, economy, opportunities and challenges – ScienceDirect
Highlights: • First study that reports the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater in Australia. • The presence of SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed by sequencing. • A median range of 171 to 1090 infected persons was identified in the catchment. • Further methodological and molecular assay validation will be required. First confirmed detection of SARS-CoV-2 in untreated … More First confirmed detection of SARS-CoV-2 in untreated wastewater in Australia: A proof of concept for the wastewater surveillance of COVID-19 in the community – ScienceDirect
As the Covid-19 pandemic marches across America, causing record-breaking numbers of cases, almost every solution for controlling the disease includes more testing, especially as cities and states try to reopen. But with states hitting their limits on testing, we need new tools for understanding Covid-19 transmission. A national wastewater surveillance program offers a cost-effective approach … More It’s time to begin a national wastewater testing program for Covid-19
Wastewater Epidemiology 