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An infographic explaining the National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS), a program that tracks SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater to help communities prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This infographic is titled “Building COVID-19 Wastewater Surveillance With the National Wastewater Surveillance System” from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains how the National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) can be used to track SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater to help communities prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The NWSS works with health departments to collect and test wastewater samples from across the United States. The resulting data is used to track trends in SARS-CoV-2 levels and identify areas where the virus is spreading. This information can then be used to inform public health decisions, such as targeted testing and outreach campaigns.

The poster also highlights the key features of the NWSS, including:

Standardized data collection: The NWSS provides implementing partners with sample collection and testing guidance to ensure that data is collected and reported in a consistent manner. This makes it easier to compare results over time and across locations.
Analytics and data pipeline: The NWSS provides implementing partners with access to the secure online CDC NWSS Data Collation and Integration for Public Health Event Response (DCIPHER) platform. This platform offers rapid wastewater data integration, analysis, and visualization that users can link to other surveillance data to help drive public health action.
Collaborative learning: The NWSS offers a variety of opportunities for participants to share successes, help shape best practices, and learn from other implementing partners. This includes monthly meetings, communities of practice, and online resources.
Technical assistance: The NWSS provides implementing partners with expertise to help them build systems and troubleshoot challenges. This includes assistance with site selection, sampling strategies, laboratory protocol development, data coordination and quality control, wastewater analytics and visualization, and public health action.
The poster concludes with a call to action for health departments, utilities, and laboratories to participate in the NWSS.