Expanding the Use of Wastewater Epidemiology Tools to Improve Water Quality, Identify Service Populations under Stress, and Promote One Water Goals for a Thriving City

Water and wastewater utilities in the United States face the multifaceted challenge of meeting the mandate to ensure water security and quality, while also meeting social, economic, environmental, public health, and resilience goals. This study developed a framework for utilities to monitor opioids in wastewater and to advance the scientific evidence on wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) and inform its practice in the United States. The research includes a review of the latest WBE tools; a protocol for utilities to follow when collecting samples for WBE of pharmaceutical opioids; and recommendations and case studies for use by communities, utilities, health departments, law enforcement agencies, and policy makers. Published in 2022.