Monitor wastewater for early detection of disease, pollutants, and chemicals to proactively protect public health.
By sampling and testing wastewater—a combination of household sewage, industrial runoff, and sometimes storm water—officials can quickly assess pathogens and chemical exposures among thousands of people in the community. For COVID-19, wastewater testing can shed light on infections among those who are asymptomatic or do not present for testing, and at a small fraction of the cost of testing individuals. Our experts coordinate with municipalities and community partners to scale wastewater testing and create decision support tools. These tools translate lab results into insights that officials can use for public health response. We also conduct large-scale comparative analyses to develop guidance documents and best practices for wastewater analytics and reporting.
The value of comprehensive, rapid, and scalable testing coverage for informed policymaking is unmatched.
Connect with an expertOverview
Leverage our experience working with labs, wastewater treatment plants, and public officials to coordinate testing strategies.
Synthesize wastewater data with local data on community demographics, social vulnerability, patients’ health care needs, and providers’ capacity to guide policy decisions.
Apply advanced analytics and visualization techniques to uncover data gaps and hidden insights.
Evaluate the effectiveness of official public health policies and prevention strategies.
Get tailored communication of lab results to quickly assess circulating viral levels in your community, understand trends in viral loads over time, and get early warnings for new outbreaks.
The Power of a Single Test
With wastewater monitoring, a single test can detect the presence of viral particles or chemicals in an area. Samples can be collected daily with test results typically available in less than a week, providing public officials with quick and continuous updates on prevalence and spread in their communities. Mathematica connects end users with reputable labs, and with our back-end statistical analysis and “translational” metrics, we help officials understand when signals in the wastewater indicate the need for heightened public health response.
Public health threats like the COVID-19 pandemic can come with little to no warning. Sewage surveillance can change that. By testing samples of municipal wastewater, officials can quickly assess the presence and spread of COVID-19 infections in their community. For communities without documented cases, wastewater testing can provide an early warning when the virus enters, and for second-wave infections. In communities already exposed, repeated testing can identify shifts in viral epicenters, whether transmission is rising or waning, and when it’s safe to lift restrictions such as social distancing without endangering public health.
EVIDENCE & INSIGHTS
Publication
New Uses of Wastewater Data on High-Risk Substances: Emerging Drug Detection, Overdose Prediction, and Drug Policy Evaluation
This study analyzed almost 40 weeks of longitudinal wastewater data and data on suspected overdoses from five counties across four U.S. states to characterize how wastewater monitoring can help communities adapt to the changing landscape of substance use and prevent overdoses.
Learn moreRelated Staff
Public Health Data Analytics Solutions
Prevent, detect, and respond.
Our data science and public health experts work across sectors to provide enhanced surveillance, policy guidance, and mitigation strategies. Learn more about our services.
19 and Me: A COVID-19 Risk Calculator
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Learn more about 19 and Me: A COVID-19 Risk Calculator
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