Wastewater surveillance is a rapidly developing tool used to monitor community-level infections and disease trends, with the COVID-19 pandemic leading to its widespread implementation across the United States. It can serve as a non-invasive and cost-efficient early warning system that can inform public health leaders in crucial decision-making. Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater surveillance can serve as a valuable tool for tracking other pathogen targets, such as influenza A and B, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Mpox, and more.

In 2022, NACCHO, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), launched the Wastewater Surveillance Mentorship program to match local health departments (LHDs) with demonstrated experience in utilizing wastewater surveillance with LHDs seeking guidance, tools, and resources while in the early stages of developing a wastewater surveillance program. The first cohort of the program featured the City of Tempe, AZ as a mentor and Chautauqua County (NY) and Genesee & Orleans County (NY) as mentees.

The second cohort, launched in 2023, featured one mentor, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (WA), supporting three mentees:

• Cherokee Nation Public Health Department (OK)
• San Mateo County Health (CA)
• Pima County Health Department (AZ)

Read this new report to learn about the background and activities of each participant from the second cohort, as well as recommendations from both cohorts for LHDs looking to develop or expand a wastewater surveillance program in their jurisdiction.

Request for Applications (RFA): Wastewater Surveillance Mentorship Program 2024 Cohort

NACCHO, with support from the CDC, is currently seeking applications for four mentee sites and two mentor sites to participate in the 2024 Wastewater Surveillance Mentorship Program. Selected mentee sites will receive funding in the amount of up to $10,000 each, and selected mentor sites will receive up to $12,000. Applications and all supporting materials must be submitted via email to [email protected] no later than 11:59 PM ET on Monday, February 12, 2024. Learn more and access the full RFA.

NACCHO and Wastewater Surveillance

NACCHO is committed to supporting local health departments in their development of wastewater surveillance programs. Visit the NACCHO WASH webpage to explore the Wastewater Surveillance resource library.