Wastewater monitoring has potential to revolutionize how we track public health

Calgary, AB – During the COVID-19 pandemic, University of Calgary researchers from the Cumming School of Medicine, the Faculty of Science, Schulich School of Engineering and Advancing Canadian Wastewater Assets, in partnership with The City of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, have been able to track traces of COVID-19 in Calgary’s wastewater. This research has helped, and will continue to, identify early COVID-19 infections and outbreaks. However, wastewater monitoring has the potential to do much more, even revolutionize how we track public health.

Wastewater testing is a powerful tool that can permit public health protection across a wide range of risks, whether those be a future pandemic, other infectious diseases, and other public health concerns such as alcohol, nicotine and drug use. For instance, wastewater monitoring could be used in long-term care and other congregate living facilities during flu season to help protect residents and workers from an outbreak that could be fatal to those with lowered immune systems.

This form of testing is inherently inclusive, assessing the health of all members of society and does so at a tiny fraction of the cost of clinical testing. To continue their work, the COVID-19 wastewater monitoring team is actively seeking sustainable funding to make wastewater testing an ongoing part of Alberta’s public health program.

To find out more about this research, click here.

WHAT:  Media availability on wastewater monitoring. Research crew will demonstrate how they pull samples from the wastewater system to test for traces of COVID-19. Additional pre-recorded b-roll of lab testing process also available.

WHERE: Edworthy park sampling spot

                *NOTE: Steel toed boots required near sampling site – all other PPE will be provided.

WHEN: Wednesday, July 14, 2021, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

WHO: Kevin Frankowski, executive director of ACWA.

 

Media Contact

Jacqueline Sinnett

Media Relations Advisor, Media and Issues Management 

University of Calgary (Advancement)
jmsinnet@ucalgary.ca  

403-389-3476

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is a global intellectual hub located in Canada’s most enterprising city. In our spirited, high-quality learning environment, students thrive in programs made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. Our strategy drives us to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, engaging the communities we both serve and lead. This strategy is called Eyes High, inspired by the university's Gaelic motto, which translates as 'I will lift up my eyes.' For more information, visit ucalgary.ca/eyeshigh.

For more information, visit ucalgary.ca. Stay up to date with University of Calgary news headlines on Twitter @UCalgary. For details on faculties and how to reach experts go to our media center at ucalgary.ca/newsroom.