Coronavirus is Proving We Need an Early Warning System to Test Wastewater

Wastewater testing, or “wastewater quality indicators” are broad descriptions for the various test methodologies to measure water quality.  These tests analyze the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of wastewater.

As countries and individual healthcare organizations work to arrest the spread of Covid-19 and to care for those who are infected, officials in some geographic locations are using wastewater testing as a possible method for identifying levels of Covid-19 in their communities.  The testing goal is to detect evidence of the Covid-19 genetic material, ribonucleic acid (RNA), in fecal matter in sewage and wastewater.

The novel virus, SARS-CoV-2, is the virus that causes Covid-19. It is known to invade the GI (gastrointestinal) track in some patients, and so the virus is extracted in their fecal matter. 

Looking at the amount of viral matter in waste water from a community could uncover the level of Covid-19 spread in the population.  This information can then be a trigger for the required mitigation initiatives and response plans, such as testing individuals, contract tracking, and quarantine. It also allows for information to be gathered on a cross section of the population, allowing for a way to monitor public health solutions for large groups.  

Scientists from around the world are setting up pilot programs to test waste water.  The Netherlands has successfully performed a Covid-19 test for waste water and additional programs are launching in Singapore, Zurich, Lausanne,  Milan, Rome, Australia, and in parts of the US, such as Colorado, Ohio, New York, and Wyoming.  Scientists in these regions have been able to identify the novel Coronavirus at low concentrations in waste water, pointing to an early warning systems for communities.  

In April, 2020, the scientific journal, Nature, listed that over a dozen groups around the globe were doing research analyzing waste water for Covid-19, and that evidence of the virus was already found in the United States, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

Teledyne ISCO is paving the way with use of water samplers in the effort to identify the virus evidence in sewage.   Their automatic sampler readings analyze the characteristics and presence of the Coronavirus in parts per million quantities and can be laid against the population numbers of a geographic area to ascertain the existence and amount of virus existing in the waste water. 

For more information about the use of Teledyne ISCO water samplers for SARS-CoV-2 monitoring in wastewater contact Instrument Specialties, Inc. Call them at 407-324-7800 or visit their website at https://isisales.com.

Automated Water Sampler

Automated water sampler is programmable to meet
a variety of water testing protocols.
Image courtesy Teledyne ISCO

Part of many water monitoring operations is the regular gathering of field samples for analysis. Teledyne Isco manufactures an array of water sampling equipment and supplies to meet the broad range of application requirements found in field operations.

The Model 3700 is a portable sampler designed for use in water and wastewater treatment plants, stormwater runoff monitoring, and industrial wastewater applications. The construction and configuration of the unit accommodates the range of aggressive environmental conditions often found at water sampling sites.

The portable water sampler is equipped with a controller, sampling system and storage bay, all integrated into a single unit that will gather water samples in accordance with a preprogrammed schedule and hold them until the unit is retrieved at the end of its cycle.

More detailed information is provided in the datasheet included below. Share your water quality monitoring and measurement challenges with application specialists, leveraging your own knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop an effective solution.

Portable Water Sampler for Field Use from Instrument Specialties, Inc.