Wastewater monitoring (WWM) is an inclusive, non-invasive, and cost-efficient tool that can detect infectious diseases circulating in a community. When used in conjunction with other forms of disease monitoring, it can paint a more comprehensive picture of community-level infections and help inform public health actions. While the COVID-19 pandemic led to its rapid development and expansion across the country, local health departments (LHDs) are using WWM to monitor other high priority pathogen targets, such as Influenza A and B, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and more.

In 2022, NACCHO, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), launched the Wastewater Monitoring Mentorship program to match local health departments with demonstrated experience in utilizing WWM with LHDs in the early stages of developing a WWM program and looking for guidance, tools, and resources.

The third cohort, launched in 2024, featured two (2) mentors and four (4) mentees:

• Mentor: Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (NE)
  • Mentee: Emmet County Public Health (IA)
  • Mentee: Shelby County Health Department (TN)
• Mentor: San Mateo County Health (CA)
  • Mentee: Jackson County Public Health (MO)
  • Mentee: Southern Nevada Health District (NV)

Read this new report to learn about each participant’s background and activities and their recommendations for other LHDs looking to develop WWM programs.

NACCHO and Wastewater Monitoring

NACCHO is committed to supporting local health departments in their development of wastewater monitoring programs.

Read reports about the 2022 and 2023 cohorts of the mentorship program and visit our WASH webpage to explore our Wastewater Monitoring resource library.