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Wastewater Monitoring: An Early Warning System

Wastewater testing captures infection data from populations even when individuals have not been tested. It works by analyzing viral material found in wastewater and comparing them to human population markers such as crAssphage in order to determine the scope of the virus in that location. 

Consistent monitoring of these indicators establishes trends, identifies emerging pathogens, and tracks increases or decreases in disease transmission. Steady increases in pathogen levels act as an early warning system for emerging diseases and can prompt healthcare officials to implement the appropriate safety measures to minimize the spread of disease.

Quadrant Wastewater Solutions

Wastewater Testing can
be Leveraged by
Clients of Any Size

Quadrant Wastewater Solutions (QWS) provides wastewater testing for approximately 90% of all counties in New York State for COVID-19. We facilitate additional testing for the NYSDOH by providing extracted RNA from wastewater samples for Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Flu A/B and RSV. These services are available throughout the continental United States. 

In August 2023, QWS anticipates in-house testing for the RNA extractions listed above.

Knowing the prevalence of these pathogens can prove useful to educational institutions, counties, communities, and corporations. If there is access to an influent water source we can get as granular as a single building (ideal for dormitories, assisted living facilities, manufacturing facilities, etc.).

How it Works

How Wastewater Testing Works

Wastewater is abundant with millions of pathogens including SARS-CoV-2, polio, norovirus, and other pathogenic targets which have imminent pandemic potential.

Our lab quantifies the targets in wastewater using RT-qPCR (reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction). This method of wastewater surveillance has the sensitivity to detect one infection per 10,000 individuals. Trend analysis works best when the sample population does not have a high turnover of people contributing to the water source throughout the surveillance period.

A deeper dive into the science

QWS quantifies the viral load in the sample.

QWS qualitatively identifies the target infection rate for that sample and sends a report to the appropriate officials.

Officials identify trends of increasing or decreasing transmission in their target areas.

Contact Us

Test with QWS

Our Process is Simple

Testing with QWS is simple, once the number of test sites and the cadence of testing is established, QWS will send you sampling kits for shipping back to our lab.

Once you receive the shipping kit, determine your water source, collect your sample, and ship it back to us, we’ll detect the viral load so you can make informed decisions about the health of your community.

Transport Protocol

Each sample kit contains:

  • (2) 250 mL sample bottles
  • Styrofoam cooler
  • Return shipping box
  • Return shipping label
  • Dry Ice pack

Source

Source

Identify your source(s) for sample collection ie: wastewater treatment plant, city or school campus.

Collect

Collect

Collect your wastewater samples from an influent water supply before the sample is treated.

Ship

Ship

Ship the sample to our lab following the instructions provided in the transport protocol.

Detect

Detect

Our lab processes the sample(s) and reports back the prevalence of the pathogens of interest.

Inform

Inform

Regular reporting allows you to establish trends and inform you of increases/decreases in pathogen prevalence.

Quadrant Wastewater Solutions