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Identifying Local Realities and Anticipating Challenges in Building Capacity of Ontario Municipal Wastewater Systems in Tracking for SARS-CoV-2

Author

Listed:
  • Zobia Jawed

    (Booth School of Engineefing Pratice and Technology, McMaster Universtiy, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8)

  • Gail Krantzberg

    (Booth School of Engineefing Pratice and Technology, McMaster Universtiy, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8)

  • Sasha Voinson

    (Booth School of Engineefing Pratice and Technology, McMaster Universtiy, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8)

Abstract
One of the biggest challenges that public health experts have ever faced is detecting and mitigating the community spread of COVID-19. Current clinical testing of COVID-19 patients is limited in terms of testing kits available, cost logistics, and detecting individuals that are mildly symptomatic and asymptomatic. False positives and false negatives also cloud the true picture of the pandemic. Ontario municipalities’ wastewater systems can provide new testing opportunities for a non-invasive approach in tracking and monitoring the community spread of COVID-19 through sampling raw sludge or untreated wastewater to test for SAR-CoV-2 RNA fragments. Current global and domestic research confirms the effectiveness of wastewater epidemiology surveillance of SAR-CoV-2 and can be detected even before individuals experience symptoms providing a real-time indicator for appropriate public health interventions. In collaboration with the COVID-19 Wastewater Consortium of Ontario (CWCO), an initiative of McMaster University, the objective of this research is to determine the means to optimize the current infrastructure capacity of municipal wastewater systems as an opportunity to monitor and track COVID-19 spread in the community by identifying local realities and risks. To identify local challenges, we distributed a survey amongst Ontario municipalities regarding wastewater treatment plants’ characteristics, held focus group discussions, and implemented an eight-week sampling program with CWCO’s partners. This report focuses on municipal wastewater treatment plants with in-house laboratory facilities to analyze the current capacity and limitations associated with their sampling and analysis programs. Drawing from survey responses and focus group discussions, we revealed gaps for municipalities to move forward with sample testing and data processing as well as governance challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Zobia Jawed & Gail Krantzberg & Sasha Voinson, 2021. "Identifying Local Realities and Anticipating Challenges in Building Capacity of Ontario Municipal Wastewater Systems in Tracking for SARS-CoV-2," International Journal of World Policy and Development Studies, Academic Research Publishing Group, vol. 7(2), pages 7-20, 06-2021.
    • Handle: RePEc:arp:ijwpds:2021:p:7-20
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Renée Street & Angela Mathee & Noluxabiso Mangwana & Stephanie Dias & Jyoti Rajan Sharma & Pritika Ramharack & Johan Louw & Tarylee Reddy & Ludwig Brocker & Swastika Surujlal-Naicker & Natacha Berkowi, 2021. "Spatial and Temporal Trends of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from Wastewater Treatment Plants over 6 Weeks in Cape Town, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-9, November.

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