Sewage research

Use data from sewage to obtain insight into contamination and public health

Sewage water holds a mirror up to society: it contains all sorts of chemical and biological traces with relevant information about the population’s lifestyle and health, from legal pharmaceuticals and illegal drugs to microbial pathogens.

The measurement of chemical and biological traces in sewage water provides an objective picture of the health of the entire population in a particular area. On commissions from municipalities, among others, KWR has been measuring illegal drugs and metabolites in sewage water since 2010, thus obtaining information about drug-use in the associated areas. We also investigate legal pharmaceuticals and their metabolites, as well as microbial pathogens in sewage water. Thanks to KWR’s lengthy experience in sewage water measurements, we were able, following the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, to show that it is possible to monitor outbreaks through sewage research.

Infectious diseases 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, sewage monitoring has acquired a solid position as an instrument in public health surveillance. The method is applicable to a growing number of infectious diseases. Through measurements of a single sample of water that reaches a wastewater treatment plant, the population of an entire city can be screened. Sewage water research can thus help determine the incidence of an infectious disease, and whether it is increasing or decreasing. It is an objective and cost-effective method of monitoring the spread and trends of diseases, and one that does not inconvenience the population. KWR helps with the analysis, validation, quality control, sampling and in setting up surveillance programmes. Here are a few examples of our research in this area.  

Projects

Illicit drug-use

Sewage research offers a tool in investigations on the use of illegal drugs. On commissions from municipalities, among others, KWR has already studied sewage at 40 locations for residuals of illegal drugs . This research produces specific information for enforcement, for possible evidence-based policy support, and for the targeting of information and prevention to the most relevant drug types. Moreover, periodic research can reveal trends in illicit drug-use and provide insight into policy effectiveness. 

Environmental forensics

Sewage research also offers good possibilities for studying where substances originate. The research exposes indirect discharges of chemical waste and undesirable substances in a specific area, thereby contributing to environmental forensics. This information gives stakeholders and implementing organisations a framework of action to tackle the emissions.