Wastewater analysis initiatives taken by cities, municipalities, universities and others suggest the SARS-CoV-2 virus passes through human bodies and ends up in wastewater streams, and remains there for a long period longer than on the surface water.
RNA analysis of wastewater can detect this presence of virus, and if done in sewers close to the neighborhood, industrial zone, commercial area, or campus, may yield very valuable insights in the fight against COVID-19.
The Benefits of Wastewater Analysis Include:
- Detection of carriers in a given community, even if they are asymptomatic. This can assist in proactively managing healthcare resources, better planning for hospitalization surge, the allocation of hospital assets (i.e. beds and ventilators).
- Assistance in the decision to implement business closures, mask wearing, and social distancing.
- If wastewater analysis is performed on at schools and university dormitories, schools can be made a safer place for students and allow educational institutions to operate at higher efficiency.
- If wastewater analysis is done at the treatment plant, it can help verifying that treatment process is adequate to kill the virus and assist in ensuring that treatment plant discharge is 100% virus free.
In short, any type of early information or indications will help us better manage this pandemic and hopefully reduce potential threats.
This 40 minute presentation, presented by Teledyne ISCO, is a "must watch" for anyone in epidemiology, public health, wastewater treatment, and municipal water systems.
Helpful links:
https://www.teledyneisco.com/en-us
https://www.biobot.io/
https://advanceinstruments.com
