Lehigh is conducting a research project with Bethlehem to test the relationship between COVID-19 RNA, wastewater and community health data, Matthew Glose, executive assistant at Lehigh Facilities, said in an email.

The goal of the project is to test wastewater from various locations to see if there are any traces of COVID. The testing began in August 2020 and will conclude in May 2021, said Kristen Jellison, a Lehigh civil and environmental engineering professor assisting in leading the research project.

Glose said wasterwater will be tested from various academic buildings, residence halls and the Health Center, in addition to wastewater from the Bethlehem treatment plant.