HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport - Read Before Packet - 8/18/2020 - Memorandum From Jason Graham Re: Staff Report: Covid Testing Of Wastewater
Water Reclamation and Biosolids
3036 Environmental Drive
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970-221-6900
Fcgov.com
MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor and Councilmembers
Thru: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Theresa Connor, Interim Utilities Executive Director
Mark Kempton, Interim Deputy Director, Water Resources and Treatment
From: Jason Graham, Director of Plant Operations, Water Reclamation and Biosolids
Date: August 14, 2020
Re: Staff Report: COVID Testing of Wastewater
The City of Fort Collins wastewater utility has formed a collaborative with Colorado State University
(CSU), Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Metropolitan State University
of Denver (MSU), and 17 Wastewater Utilities to develop a statewide wastewater epidemiology
program for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, the etiological agent of COVID19. The purpose of the program is to
provide early warning (days to a week) for state and local health authorities of significant changes in
fecal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 that could be used in combination with other indicators & efforts to drive
action in responding to future COVID19 outbreaks. This testing could also confirm downward trends in
COVID-19 outbreaks. With more data and analysis, it may also be useful for predicting community
prevalence or to identify potential virus hot spots.
The staff report to be presented will highlight the program and the City’s role to City Council and provide
an opportunity for any questions.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 35A5D3C7-EDB1-4F9B-980F-F2874A11D505
1Jason Graham, Director of Plant Operations
August 18, 2020
Wastewater
Epidemiology
Collaborative
Good News Item
Colorado Collaborative
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•As featured on:
•National Public Radio –KUNC, Channel 7,
9 News, CBS 4, Denver Post and others.
•Fort Collins Utilities Leadership Role
•Wastewater samples provide:
•Community-wide sampling and data,
•Early detection of SARS-CoV2 presence
•One tool in toolbox for public health agencies.
Collaborative Participants
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WW
Providers
Analytical
Expertise
Public
Health
Agencies
+ 17 Front Range WW providers
Current Application of COVID19
Wastewater Testing
4
Wastewater
Treatment Plant
Large Communities
(20,000-2 million)
Testing
Centers
Trends in Viral
Copy Number
Social
Distancing
Health System
& Economy
•Relatively small numbers of samples
•WWTPs, twice per week ($)
Broad Surveillance
Possible Application of COVID19
Wastewater Testing
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•Potentially huge numbers of samples
•Individual clinical testing follow up
needed ($$ to $$$)
Small
Communities
(50-1000)
Testing
Centers
Wastewater
Sampling
Presence of
Infection
Follow up testing
Quarantine
High Risk Site Monitoring
Colorado State University slide
Timeline
March -
April
•Industry and public interest
May -June
•Engage CSU, GT Molecular, and CO Biobot participants
July -Aug
•Engage CDPHE and LCPH, continue to develop sampling/ analytical protocols
August 3
•First week of collaborative partnership sampling, delivery, and analysis
And
beyond •Data management, dashboard development, and public access & messaging
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Contact
Jason Graham
Director of Plant Operations
Water Reclamation and Biosolids Division
Fort Collins Utilities
970-221-6921
jgraham@fcgov.com
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