EPA published A Compendium of U.S. Wastewater Surveillance to Support COVID-19 Public Health Response on October 14 documenting various programs across the country that implemented a surveillance program during the pandemic. As part of this release, EPA is also hosting a roundtable discussion on October 26 to discuss the Compendium and offer a forum for utilities and interested stakeholders to ask questions.

The Compendium highlights 10 different types of wastewater surveillance programs and is intended to serve as a supporting document and guide for those interested in or considering beginning a wastewater surveillance program in the future. The document highlights funding mechanisms, project management and collaboration with various stakeholders and protocols, how to communicate results through online public-facing dashboards, and more.

NACWA is encouraged by EPA’s continued effort to support wastewater utilities that have stood up a wastewater surveillance program, as well as EPA’s work with other federal agencies to achieve the broader goal of communicating epidemiological data to the right public health officials for informed decision-making.

The roundtable discussion on October 26 will focus on three key topics, including:

• The dissemination of information on wastewater surveillance to utility stakeholders;
• Use of wastewater surveillance to provide targeted outreach to underserved communities; and
• Gaps and opportunities from the utility perspective.

EPA’s is asking interested roundtable discussion participants to Register. The event is Tuesday, October 26 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM ET.