Collection Systems

How wastewater arms us against infectious disease spread

Cameron Colby from Biobot Analytics talks wastewater infectious disease monitoring, and why utility managers should take part.
Sept. 28, 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater surveillance of infectious diseases gained traction across the United States to better target at risk communities. But the sampling can go much further, especially if wastewater systems collaborate with laboratories and public health officials.

Cameron Colby, national institute on drug abuse program manager for Biobot Analytics, explains what she and her team have learned by conducting this monitoring at wastewater utilities, and why it is important for utilities and their missions.

Additional Resources

Timestamps

  • Lessons in wastewater infectious diseasee monitoring | 0:00
  • The value of monitoring for utiltiies | 1:58
  • Influent vs. effluent sampling | 3:35
  • The future of sewer epidemiology | 4:42
  • Sharing information with public health officials | 6:30

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About the Author

Bob Crossen

Bob Crossen is the editorial director for the Endeavor Business Media Water Group, which publishes WaterWorld, Wastewater Digest and Stormwater Solutions. Crossen graduated from Illinois State University in Dec. 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in German and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. He worked for Campbell Publications, a weekly newspaper company in rural Illinois outside St. Louis for four years as a reporter and regional editor. 

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