Wastewater Surveillance of the COVID-19 Genetic Signal in Sewersheds Recommendations from Global Experts
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Wastewater Surveillance of the COVID-19 Genetic Signal in Sewersheds Recommendations from Global Experts The Water Research Foundation convened the International Water Research Summit on Environmental Surveillance of COVID-19 Indicators in Sewersheds in response to the overwhelming need for information regarding the distribution and prevalence of COVID-19. The global water sector has mobilized to investigate the use of wastewater surveillance of the genetic signal of SARS CoV-2 as an indicator of the distribution of COVID-19 in communities. This paper presents recommendations of global experts who contributed to the Summit, including potential uses of wastewater surveillance for tracking COVID-19, sampling design, analytical tools, and communication of results to public health decision makers, the public, and other key stakeholders. www.waterrf.org The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides a unified source for One Water research and a strong presence in relationships with partner organizations, government and regulatory agencies, and Congress. WRF conducts research in all areas of drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and water reuse. The Water Research Foundation’s research portfolio is valued at over $700 million. WRF plays an important role in the translation and dissemination of applied research, technology demonstration, and education, through creation of research-based educational tools and technology exchange opportunities. WRF serves as a leader and model for collaboration across the water industry, and its materials are used to inform policymakers and the public on the science, economic value, and environmental benefits of using and recovering resources found in water, as well as the feasibility of implementing new technologies. For more information, contact: The Water Research Foundation 1199 North Fairfax Street, Suite 900 6666 West Quincy Avenue Alexandria, VA 22314-1445 Denver, CO 80235-3098 P 571.384.2100 P 303.347.6100 www.waterrf.org [email protected] ©Copyright 2020 by The Water Research Foundation. All rights reserved. Permission to copy must be obtained from The Water Research Foundation. This report was prepared by The Water Research Foundation. Neither The Water Research Foundation, members of The Water Research Foundation, the organization(s) named within, nor any person acting on their behalf: (a) makes any warranty, express or implied, with respect to the use of any information, apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this report or that such use may not infringe on privately owned rights; or (b) assumes any liabilities with respect to the use of, or for damages resulting from the use of, any information, apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this report. This document was reviewed by a panel of independent experts selected by The Water Research Foundation. Mention of trade names or commercial products or services does not constitute endorsement or recommendations for use. Similarly, omission of products or trade names indicates nothing concerning The Water Research Foundation’s positions regarding product effectiveness or applicability. 2 Acknowledgments THE WATER RESEARCH FOUNDATION WOULD like to thank Working Group 3: the following professionals who generously volunteered their Co-chairs: Chuck Haas, Drexel University; Doug Yoder, time and expertise to the Summit. Miami-Dade Water and Sewer; Gertjan Medema, KWR Water Research Institute; Vanessa Speight, University of Sheffield; Working Group 1: John Albert, WRF Co-chairs: Chuck Gerba, University of Arizona; Jim Pletl, Participants: Mia Mattioli, CDC; Jay Garland, U.S. Hampton Roads Sanitation District; Daniel Gerrity, Southern Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Jeff Soller, Soller Nevada Water Authority; Alice Fulmer, WRF Environmental LLC; John Norton, Great Lakes Water Participants: Mark Sobsey, University of North Carolina at Authority; Jeff Prevatt, Pima County Regional Wastewater Chapel Hill; Amy Pickering, Tufts University; Mark Jones, UK Reclamation Department; Dimitri Katehis, New York City Water Industry Research (UKWIR); Katrina Charles, Oxford Department of Environmental Protection; Steve Rhode, University; Kelly Hill, Water Research Australia; Christoph Massachusetts Water Resources Authority; Ken Williamson, Ort, Eawag – Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science Clean Water Services; Paul Kadota, Metro Vancouver; Reynald and Technology; Matt Burd, New York City Department of Bonnard, Suez Environmental Research Center Environmental Protection; Kaylyn Patterson, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago; Scott Working Group 4: Meschke, University of Washington; Amy Kirby, Centers for Co-chairs: Jim McQuarrie, Metro Wastewater Reclamation Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) District; Cathy Bernardino Bailey, Greater Cincinnati Water Works; Dan Deere, Water Futures; Lexie Vean, WRF Working Group 2: Participants: Jeff Oxenford, Rural Community Assistance Co-chairs: Krista Wigginton, University of Michigan; Partnership; Vince Hill, CDC; Claire Waggoner, California State Frederic Been, KWR Water Research Institute; Joan Rose, Water Resources Control Board; Karen Mogus, California Michigan State University; Christobel Ferguson, WRF State Water Resources Control Board; Chris Impellitteri, Participants: Raul Gonzalez, Hampton Roads Sanitation EPA; Diane Taniguchi-Dennis, Clean Water Services; District; Kellogg Schwab, Johns Hopkins University; Scott Gabriella Rundblad, King’s College London; Josef Klinger, Meschke, University of Washington; Rosina Girones, University Technologiezentrum Wasser (TZW); Bruno Tisserand, Veolia; of Barcelona; Kaye Power, Sydney Water; Sudhi Payyappat, Stephanie Rinck-Pfeiffer, Global Water Research Coalition; Sydney Water; Zia Bukhari, American Water; Farida Bishay, Yvonne Forrest, Houston Water Metro Vancouver; Tiong Gim Aw, Tulane University 3 Table of Contents Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Context ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Summit Structure ....................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Recommended Use Cases for Environmental Surveillance of the Genetic Signal of SARS-CoV-2 in Sewersheds ....................... 7 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7 How Can SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Surveillance Data Be Used? ........................................................................................ 7 Use Cases .............................................................................................................................................................................. 7 What Else Can Wastewater Surveillance Be Used For? ....................................................................................................... 8 Communication of Wastewater Surveillance Results with the Public Health Community, Elected Officials, Wastewater Workers, and the Public ............................................................................................................................................................. 9 Guiding Principles for Effective Communication .................................................................................................................. 9 Roles and Responsibilities ...................................................................................................................................................10 Communication Tools ..........................................................................................................................................................10 Sample Plan Design, Sample Collection, and Preservation of Wastewater Samples ..............................................................12 Guiding Principles ................................................................................................................................................................12 Wastewater Surveillance Sample Plan Design: General Considerations ...........................................................................12 General Use Case: Trends/Changes in Occurrence .............................................................................................................15 General Use Case: Assessment of Community Prevalence ................................................................................................16 General Use Case: Risk Assessment for Wastewater Exposure .........................................................................................16 General Use Case: Viral Evolution .......................................................................................................................................16 Tools to Quantify the SARS-CoV-2 Genetic Signal in Wastewater Samples .............................................................................17 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................................................17 Analysis Guiding