Wastewater surveillance provides a fast, confidential and accurate way to detect Illness-causing viruses, bacteria, or exposures to environmental hazards testing waste streams entering a wastewater treatment plant. This type of surveillance helps health departments, the health care community and hospitals protect public health.
Wastewater surveillance is a powerful, community-level tool that helps public health agencies protect your community. It is used to track infectious diseases like COVID-19 and influenza, identify trends early, and support faster, more equitable public health responses.
Wastewater surveillance protects people’s privacy at every step of the process. Learn why data are collected at the community level and how this approach supports public health without identifying people or households.