How Wastewater Can Help Us in the Fight Against COVID-19
In partnership with experts from across the country, we’re utilizing our in-house expertise to determine how wastewater analysis can yield useful public health information about coronavirus infections.
What Wastewater Tells Us
Once a person becomes infected with coronavirus, they start shedding the virus’ genetic material in their stool within a matter of days, whether or not they have symptoms. This means that the sewage that arrives at our wastewater resource recovery facilities contains valuable information that can help scientists track potential outbreaks. Being able to detect a future rise in the number of infected persons though wastewater analysis could provide public health officials with a head start in establishing protective measures to limit further exposure and spread of the virus.
Refining our Methods
Beginning in February, our engineers and scientists conducted an assessment of the current techniques used to track the presence of enveloped viruses (like the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19) in sewage. Recognizing that the molecular based analytical measurement techniques were still not ready for primetime, we identified a team of experts from across the globe to provide technical guidance and participated in a national effort to refine the molecular analysis that will allow us to reliably quantify the viral genetic material in sewage.
Developing the Model
Since April, our sewage treatment workers have been collecting regular samples of wastewater from all 14 wastewater resource recovery facilities serving the five boroughs so that we can analyze the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 genetic fingerprint. Over the next several months, scientists from NYU, Stanford University, Notre Dame, the University of Michigan and the University of Wisconsin, will be working with our Microbiology Lab to develop a modeling tool that will translate the level of COVID-19 found in a given sample to the number of infections present in the corresponding area. We will also begin to collect samples of wastewater from distinct points along the sewer system, before it reaches the resource recovery facility, in order to narrow the geographical area of the source wastewater.
By the fall, we will have several months of data collected and analyzed. The results will potentially provide scientists with a new early detection method for infection spikes. Using this information, public helath officials will then be able to take the appropriate steps to slow any further spread and prepare hospitals and health care facilities for a rise in the number of infected patients.
Our Team of Experts
We’d like to recognize the work of our Director of Regulatory Compliance, Strategy, and Technology Innovation Dr. Dimitri Katehis as well as the entire team in the Division of Laboratory Services, including Pete Williamsen, Francoise Chauvin, and the Newtown Creek Microbiology Lab team, led by Lab Director William Kelly, Esmeraldo Castro, Alexander Clare, Patrick Hoyes, Naudet Joasil, Donnovan Johnson, Manzura Kopusov, Hope McGibbon, and Oren Sachs. Thank you to everyone as we work together to aid in New York City’s fight against the pandemic!
