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Epidemic potentialWATER · Water MicrobiologyWWRESPPathogen-agnostic pack
Wastewater respiratory signal
Wastewater SARS-CoV-2 / influenza
Last reviewed 2026-08-13
Public health significance
A community signal, not a patient result. Used correctly, it moves a bureau chief a week earlier.
Specimen types
Influent wastewater
Method
NAA on wastewater concentrate
CLIA / validation
If results are not patient-level, say so on every page. Method validation still applies.
Interpretation
Detected / Not detected or quantified viral load with UCUM. Never attach a patient identifier.
Reflex / referral
None clinical. Epidemiology may raise clinical testing in the sewershed.
Quality control
Recovery controls and inhibition checks. Trend against a baseline, not a single point.
Reportability
Usually not patient-level ELR. Publish as a surveillance product.
HL7 / ELR
Do not send wastewater as a clinical ORU^R01. Use a surveillance feed.
Sources
CDC NWSS; state wastewater programs.