As the spread of the new coronavirus continues, researchers at the University of Arizona Water and Energy Sustainable Technology Center are using municipal wastewater to monitor the incidence of the virus in communities across the United States.
As the spread of the new coronavirus continues, researchers at the University of Arizona Water and Energy Sustainable Technology Center are using municipal wastewater to monitor the incidence of the virus in communities across the United States.
Sewage surveillance can be used to determine if the virus is present in a community, even if individuals are asymptomatic, as well as ensure the effectiveness of a municipality's wastewater treatment process.
"Testing the wastewater gives you an idea of the number of cases within a community and if the numbers are increasing or decreasing," said Ian Pepper, director of the WEST Center and a BIO5 Institute member. "The approach can also be used to help determine if an intervention is working to reduce the transmission of the virus."
"We will be able to determine if the virus persists in the community even if there are no reported new cases," said Charles Gerba, a microbiologist and professor of environmental science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "To me, it's a key to tracing the spread of a virus."
Read more at Arizona State University
Image Credit: Arizona State University
