Wastewater-based surveillance is a rapidly evolving area. When we understand and communicate the data effectively, it can benefit communities.

CWN and the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCCID) have teamed up to help local public health practitioners and provincial health agencies effectively use wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) data to inform public health decisions.​

Who’s involved?

  • Local public health practitioners.
  • Provincial and territorial public health agencies.
  • Communities and health units across Canada, including Northern Indigenous communities.

What does the program offer?

  • Knowledge sharing amongst program participants.
  • Insights from national and international experts.
  • Publicly available resources and webinars.

Highlights

Knowledge Products

In June 2024, CWN and NCCID published a series of resources on interpreting and communicating WBS information. These resources are intended to guide and support the use of WBS to protect health and improve the well-being of people in health regions and communities across Canada.

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Webinar

We invited Dr. Amy Kirby from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to share her knowledge about the interpretation and communication of WBS data. Dr. Kirby highlights the WBS landscape in the US and shares lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Webinar

At the end of the inaugural year of the WBS program, staff and participants shared an overview of the program and its achievements. We also provided an overview of WBS programming across Canada.

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WBS Summit

CWN and NCCID will convene the second annual WBS Summit in Winnipeg in the fall of 2024. The event will facilitate network-building and knowledge-sharing among program participants and invited experts.

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Expert Advisory Group

CWN and NCCID have assembled a distinguished group of experts to provide guidance and insights that inform our work. The expert advisory group comprises leading researchers, innovators and practitioners in the field of wastewater-based surveillance. By sharing their knowledge of cutting-edge research, emerging innovations, and best practices, this group helps to ensure that our work remains at the forefront of this rapidly evolving area.

Funding

The 2024-25 program is being undertaken with financial support from the Government of Canada through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory. The 2023-24 pilot program was undertaken with financial support from the Government of Canada through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory and Indigenous Services Canada.​

Land Acknowledgement

Canadian Water Network (CWN) respectfully recognizes and acknowledges the deep connection that First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across Canada have with the land that all Canadians call home. We also honour and recognize the significance of the treaties that establish the relationship between Indigenous peoples and settlers on this land.

Our office is located in Waterloo, Ontario, on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. More specifically, our office is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that extends six miles on each side of the Grand River.

We are grateful for the privilege to work and live on this land.