An overview of the operational and logistical details of the CDC NWSS Program, in collaboration with Biobot Analytics, and the data generated.
What is the National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) Program?
In the fall of 2020, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) founded the National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) in order to track and curb the COVID-19 pandemic. In the words of the CDC, the purpose of NWSS is “to coordinate and build the nation’s capacity to track the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in wastewater samples collected across the country.” From April 15th, 2022 onward, the program relies on Biobot Analytics’ Covid-19 wastewater analysis, which has been deployed commercially since March 2020, to generate wastewater data.
Will I receive results?
Yes, you will receive SARS-CoV-2 results. Biobot shares results via the CDC's COVID Data Tracker and also shares the results directly with your organization in the form of emailed PDF reports for each individual sample.
These PDF reports contain:
- The raw concentration of SARS-CoV-2
- The effective concentration of SARS-CoV-2
- A time series showing the trends in effective concentration over time at your location.
Mpox results are shared from Biobot to the CDC, and are then sent to you in the form of a PDF report from the CDC NWSS team.
CDC NWSS Program participants also have the opportunity to view their results on an aggregated county level by opting in to the Biobot website data visualization.
Is there a cost associated with participating in the CDC Program NWSS Wastewater Testing Program?
No. The NWSS Program is fully funded by the CDC, and as a participant, you will not incur any charges.