Pathogens

Pathogen Concentration Levels 

The Carmel Area Wastewater District (CAWD) has participated in wastewater‑based epidemiology monitoring since the onset of the COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020. This program provides a non‑invasive, community‑level indicator of public health trends through the routine analysis of wastewater influent. The District’s monitoring is currently conducted in collaboration with Verily as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Wastewater Surveillance System (CDC NWSS), with testing results made available to authorized District staff through Verily’s secure reporting platform.

Reporting Purpose and Limitations:

Wastewater‑based epidemiology results presented in the monthly staff report are analytical indicators only and do not identify individuals, households, or specific sources. Concentrations may be influenced by factors such as rainfall, industrial flows, sampling frequency, and analytical detection limits. Accordingly, trend data is presented for informational purposes and to support situational awareness, not regulatory or enforcement decisions.

 

Beginning in 2026, CAWD will include a standing monthly staff report presenting summarized wastewater‑based epidemiology results for selected respiratory viruses and high‑risk substances. Each report will present rolling 12‑month trend data, allowing the Board and the public to observe changes over time rather than focusing solely on short‑term fluctuations.

 

These indicators provide insights into broader community‑level viral activity and are used as an early‑warning and situational‑awareness tool rather than a measure of individual infection rates. Wastewater‑based monitoring has been demonstrated to complement traditional public health surveillance by identifying trends independent of clinical testing behavior.

  •  SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) 
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) 
  • Influenza A
  • Influenza B
  • Monkey Pox Virus (MPKV) 

In addition to pathogen surveillance, the monthly staff report will include wastewater‑based trend data for selected high‑risk substances. These indicators are intended to support regional public health awareness and inter‑agency coordination, not enforcement activities. The inclusion of these substances reflects the expanding application of wastewater‑based epidemiology as a tool for understanding communitywide exposure trends and informing public health response planning.

Reported High Risk Substances Include:

  • Fentanyl – Past 12 Months
  • Methamphetamine – Past 12 Months
  • Cocaine – Past 12 Months
  • Xylazine (Tranq) – Past 12 Months 

Monthly Lab Report 03122026.pdfMonthly Lab Report 02122026.pdfMonthly Lab Report 01092026.pdf

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