You may be aware that the progression of the COVID-19 Pandemic in parts of this country was tracked through the wastewater and solids received and generated at wastewater treatment plants that served the communities in the sampling area. The results of the testing of wastewater and bio-solids were utilized to track surges and predict future outbreaks of COVID. During the pandemic, the District participated in one of these COVID-tracking programs administered by Arizona State University. The results demonstrated a strong correlation between the increase of COVID particles in the wastewater and the community surges we experienced.
The District is now preparing to participate in another research program aimed at studying the use of wastewater solids and liquids to detect viral and other pathogens. The program involves the collection and transmitting of samples of wastewater and bio-solids three times a week for biological analysis. The results will be made public and can be used by public health authorities and health officials that track and study the outbreak and spread of infectious diseases.