Coronavirus Position Statement – June 2020

As part of the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak researchers and public health experts, in conjunction with the Water Industry, are increasingly testing wastewaters and sewage sludge to estimate the disease burden in the associated community. This testing utilises genetic material (typically ribonucleic acid – RNA), so even if the virus has been destroyed and/or inactivated the RNA can still be detected. Importantly with regards safe biosolids recycling, the treatment processes and controls on biosolids recycling are designed to destroy and/or inactivate viruses, meaning detection of genetic material does not translate to an increased risk. For more information please see ABL’s updated Position Statement, here