Waste Water Monitoring in Wales

Wastewater monitoring of COVID-19 and potential VOCs/VUIs supports the Welsh Government’s wellbeing objectives and goals in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, in particular:

-A prosperous Wales

-A resilient Wales,

-A healthier Wales, and

-A globally responsible Wales

The wastewater monitoring programme helps support Welsh Government in strengthening its capacity to respond to future public health emergencies and crises.

Wastewater based epidemiology (WBE) is a rapidly developing science, and the new technology developed and deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to support more sustainable services in Wales. The programme has the potential to shift the balance of our health and care system towards earlier detection and intervention, helping to prevent illness and to prolong independence.

The business need for wastewater has been enhanced since the reduction and withdrawal of mass community testing and lateral flow testing. Wastewater surveillance is used as part of a basket of indicators to assist in the management of COVID-19.

In addition to this, the programme has been developing the capability to detect other environmental, animal and human health indicators to assist with policy development and management of the clients responsibilities in this area. This work has included the monitoring of Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and other communicable diseases like Influenza and Novovirus.

The programme helps Welsh Government maintain wastewater monitoring for COVID-19 at 50 sites across Wales as part of ‘Covid stable’ and ‘Covid urgent’ arrangements. The programme will also undertake regular surveillance of wastewater at up to 5 other sites in Wales, providing sample collection, transportation and analysis.

The aims of the contract are as follows:

-Maintain a network of up to 50 wastewater treatment works (WwTW) sampling locations in Wales, including the provision and installation of necessary equipment and samplers to ensure proper operation and maintenance.

-Provide a regular, frequent regime of sampling on at least 5 days a week at WwTW in Wales, including arrangements for effective access, sample collection, transportation and storage.

-Undertake appropriate analysis methods to determine levels of SARS-CoV-2 and other indicators which could include, ARGs (AMR), Enterovirus, Influenza, Novovirus, Polio in wastewater as required by the Client.

-Maintain and adopt best practice approaches for the analysis of wastewater samples from global wastewater testing initiatives or research.

-Undertake genomic sequencing of wastewater samples to assist in the identification of specific genetic indicators or variants.

-Maintain a library of historical wastewater samples (a biobank) that have been collected in the course of the current contract over the last 2 years as well as for this contract, in such a format that retrospective analysis and genome sequencing may be carried out at the request of the Client.

-Undertake surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 at four Welsh Prison sites, providing sample collection, transportation and analysis as required by the Client.

-Undertake surveillance of wastewater at up to 7 hospital sites in Wales, providing sample collection, transportation and analysis as required by the Client.

-Undertake surveillance of wastewater at up to 5 other sites in Wales, providing sample collection, transportation and analysis as required by the client.

-Have the capability to undertake urgent (sampling commenced within 72 hours) surveillance at up to 2 concurrent sites within sewer networks for short periods of time (up to 4 weeks) in response to the changing requirements of public health emergencies (surge capacity).

-Provide detailed insights and interpretation into the levels of monitored indicators in wastewater to help inform policy and decision making. Additional information: The maximum budget for the initial contract duration of 6 months is GBP 2184000, and the maximum budget for the additional 6 months extension is GBP 2184000 - the total maximum contract value in section II.2.6 is for the potential maximum contract term of 12 months.