How Illinois Protects Community Health with Wastewater Monitoring
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) leads a statewide program that uses wastewater to understand community health. By testing samples from treatment plants across Illinois, IDPH can spot early signs of viruses that affect our everyday wellness and share this information with communities.
Treatment plants across Illinois voluntarily collect samples of wastewater each week. These samples represent a small fraction of the total wastewater flowing into a treatment plant over the course of the day from the wastewater catchment area (communities that are serviced by the plant), and thus represent the community as a whole. These samples are processed and analyzed at the University of Illinois Chicago to detect the genomic signatures (nucleic acid) of influenza A, influenza B, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID). A sample of the captured genetic material is then sent to Argonne National Laboratory for genetic sequencing and analysis to identify specific variants of SARS-CoV-2. Northwestern University and the Discovery Partners Institute then take all of this data and transform it into clear visualizations. Together, this team takes wastewater from our pipes and produces health information for local leaders, health departments, doctors and community members to stay informed, make proactive choices, and keep communities healthier and stronger.
With more than 65 participating wastewater treatment plant partner organizations managing 78 sites, IDPH’s program is one of the most comprehensive in the country. It supports proactive decision-making, helps communities stay prepared, and promotes the health and wellness of people across the state.
This program is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) program, which includes a focus on SARS-CoV-2 sequencing among other public health priorities. The IWSS science team additionally works with the Chicago Department of Public Health and has received funding from the Walder Foundation.
