Wastewater surveillance in non-sewered settings

IWA, Wastewater-based Epidemiological Surveillance Cluster Disease surveillance in non-sewered sanitation

Target Audience

Public health and wastewater practitioners, water utilities, academics

Description

This webinar was organised by the IWA Wastewater-based Epidemiological Surveillance Cluster.

Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 has gone viral during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many studies have highlighted the role of wastewater surveillance as an early warning system for disease emergence within communities and as an impartial assessment of virus circulation in various urban settings, including cities, neighbourhoods, institutions, buildings, and airports. Less attention has been paid to the opportunities and challenges of wastewater and environmental surveillance in non-sewered settings. These settings are very prevalent in many parts of the world. This webinar aimed to showcase good examples of the public health value of wastewater and environmental surveillance of infectious diseases in non-sewered settings, from polio, enteric bacterial pathogens, and antimicrobial resistance to respiratory viruses. During our webinar, we showcased concrete case studies and experiences drawn from low- and middle-income countries. Our goal was to inspire broader adoption of these cost-effective surveillance measures for public health through wastewater streams and environmental sites.

Webinar Resources

Master Slides

Relevant Publications

Presentation Abstracts

Learning Objectives

Following this webinar, participants should now be able to:

  • Recognise the importance of wastewater surveillance for infectious disease monitoring in non-sewered settings, enhancing public health understanding.
  • Gain insights into best practices, do’s and don’ts of wastewater surveillance in non-sewered settings
  • Appreciate the opportunities and challenges inherent in establishing surveillance systems, fostering collaboration between water and public health stakeholders for effective outcomes.

Host

International Water Association

Panelists