WASTEWATER-BASED SURVEILLANCE

WASTEWATER MONITORING

HOW DOES IT WORK?
In Germany, wastewater monitoring is used in addition to existing systems for tracking diseases. The aim is to assess the spread of infectious diseases and to use this information to protect the population. Wastewater monitoring can help identify outbreaks, assess how serious they are, and find out where they started. But how does wastewater-based surveillance work?
01

SAMPLING AT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

Samples are taken at the inlet to the wastewater treatment plant throughout the day and then combined to get a 24-hour composite sample. This process is repeated several times a week.
Here is a wastewater treatment plant A laboratory technician appears on the wastewater treatment plant, taking samples
02

TRANSPORT TO THE LABORATORY

The wastewater sample is refrigerated and taken to the appropriate laboratory.
A transporter carrying the samples for analysis
03

SAMPLE PROCESSING AND ANALYSIS

In the laboratory, we analyse the sample to see if we can detect genetic material from any pathogens. To do this we use the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). We decide which pathogens to investigate based on the current situation.
A laboratory worker sitting at a desk The samples are prepared by the worker
04

DATA PROCESSING

The results from the laboratories are quality-checked, evaluated and reconciled with reference parameters to make the data comparable.
Data processing is visualized here with a notebook and charts In front of the notebook, a code block appears with a programming language
05

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

Trends are calculated for each site. We perform epidemiological assessments, also using data from other monitoring systems, to develop measures to protect the health of the population.
A scientist stands next to a large smartphone On the smartphone, a report with an evaluation appears
06

COMMUNICATION/PUBLICATION OF DATA

The results are published on the internet. Also, we publish data and make methodological guidelines available so that anybody who is interested can download them.
A smartphone is lying down On the smartphone, an envelope, a report, a send button, and an @ symbol appear
A paper airplane flies over the smartphone
WASTEWATER AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION

WHICH PATHOGENS ARE EXAMINED?

VIRUSES, BACTERIA & MORE

PATHOGENS FROM WASTEWATER IN GERMANY – A SELECTION

Drop of water
Image Virus COVID-19

COVID-19

Germany's Federal Environment Agency and the Robert Koch Institute are cooperating in the AMELAG project. Its purpose is to assess whether and how many SARS-CoV-2 viruses are in our wastewater. The aim is to evaluate the local infection situation and track the spread of any variants.
Virus influenza image

INFLUENZA

Influenza viruses cause respiratory infections, which can sometimes be life-threatening. Influenza hits the population and the healthcare system every year. Wastewater monitoring can help assess how serious and widespread the local infections are.
Image polio virus

POLIO

The campaign to eradicate poliovirus worldwide is not over yet. Poliovirus can be detected in wastewater, so we can track the spread of poliomyelitis-causing pathogens.

OTHER PATHOGENS

In several research projects, we are examining other infectious agents to see if they are suitable for wastewater monitoring. These include other viruses, bacteria, and fungi. We're particularly interested in pathogens that are resistant to antibiotics.
Laboratory assistant holding glass with wastewater