Considerations for developing a sewage surveillance strategy

Sewage surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 is in its infancy as an approach to track disease presence and trends within a community. Methods remain in development while the science is advancing. Because of this, it is critical that sewage surveillance program development decisions be based on sound advice, careful planning, and appropriate data interpretation.

The CoSeS project Research Experts’ panel met frequently during late summer 2020 to devise recommendations for sewage surveillance program development. These recommendations are based on the most up-to-date knowledge within the field and will be updated monthly.

• Program Design and Implementation
• Sampling Design: Consistency
• Testing Methods: Transparency
• Data Reporting: Trends
• Examples of Sub-Sewershed Sampling: Universities, Nursing Homes, and Other Facilities

For additional considerations, we recommend reviewing information provided by the CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS).