The Australia-wide Collaboration on Sewage Surveillance of SARS-COV-2 (ColoSSos) Project will track and monitor the presence of the virus and its persistence in the Australian sewerage network.
Gippsland Water Managing Director Sarah Cumming said the organisation was pleased to be playing an important role in keeping the region safe.
“While the project is in its early stages, testing wastewater may provide an early warning as to where the virus might be present in the community,” said Ms Cumming.
“Ultimately, this may help inform policy makers and health authorities to slow the spread.
“We’re taking weekly samples at our Moe and Warragul wastewater treatment plants, and at the Gippsland Water Factory.
“Samples are then sent to the laboratory to be analysed for the virus and that data is used to inform the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services in its efforts to control the virus.”
The national project is coordinated by Water Research Australia and has 12 utility partners, six health departments and 10 research organisations involved.
For more information visit the Gippsland Water website.
If you have news you would like featured in Trenchless Australasia contact Assistant Editor Sophie Venz at svenz@gs-press.com.au