How Wastewater Surveillance Works

Related Pages

Wastewater surveillance can help communities detect and prepare for increasing cases of COVID-19. Data are available quickly, 5 to 7 days after the toilet flush.

Step one
  1. People with COVID-19 can shed the virus in their feces (poop), even if they don’t have symptoms.
Black arrow facing down to the next step
Step 1 and 2. The virus in poop is flushed down the toilet and travels through the sewage system.
  1. The virus in poop is flushed down the toilet and travels through the sewage system.
Black arrow facing down to the next step
Step 3. Before wastewater is treated, wastewater technicians take samples to get information about the virus.
  1. Before wastewater is treated, wastewater technicians take samples to get information about the virus.
Black arrow facing down to the next step
Step 4. Laboratories test for the virus and measure virus levels in the wastewater.
  1. Laboratories test for the virus and measure virus levels in the wastewater.
Black arrow facing down to the next step
Step 5. Public health officials use wastewater data to better understand COVID-19 trends in communities and make decisions, such as where to have mobile testing and vaccination sites.
  1. Public health officials use wastewater data to better understand COVID-19 trends in communities and make decisions, such as where to have mobile testing and vaccination sites.
How Wastewater Surveillance Works infographic

Download the Wastewater Surveillance—How Does It Work? [PDF – 1 page] infographic.