What is Wastewater Surveillance?
Wastewater surveillance is an important tool to track the spread of COVID-19 and help predict a rise in cases within a community. Wastewater surveillance can detect the virus in wastewater as many as 3 to 7 days before we see increases in the percentage of people who test positive or are hospitalized with COVID-19.
Erie County COVID-19 Wastewater Surveillance Project
The Erie County COVID-19 Wastewater Surveillance Project is a partnership between Erie County, the University at Buffalo (UB), and various municipal partners. Starting in September 2020, wastewater samples were collected twice a week at 7 locations within Erie County. Beginning in March 2023, an additional 3 locations were added. Those samples have been sent to a laboratory managed by the University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences where they are tested to assist with understanding the prevalence of COVID-19 in our community. Find out more about the Erie County COVID-19 Wastewater Surveillance Project.
Erie County COVID-19 Wastewater Surveillance Data Dashboard