Submarine-like devices are being deployed into Adelaide’s wastewater network throughout metropolitan Adelaide, as the SA Government further harnesses the power of technology to strengthen the fight against COVID-19.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the trial of the ‘sewage submarines’, which are designed by Monash University, is expanding South Australia’s COVID-19 surveillance capabilities.
“Our expert public health team has constantly been investigating innovations to keep the community safe and our economy strong,” Minister Wade said.
Regular testing for remnants of COVID-19 in targeted areas of the state’s sewer network has been ongoing since November 2020, and at several wastewater treatment plants since April, as part of the State’s ongoing community surveillance.
“Currently, the process for collecting the samples relies on expert water samplers manually extracting the wastewater over short periods, before they’re sent off for testing, Minister Wade said.
“SA Water, together with the Department for Health and Wellbeing, is now deploying these mini-submarines which can be submerged in wastewater for up to 24 hours to collect a sample from within the full stream of untreated sewage.
“This enables a higher resolution of testing results as the mini-submarines are exposed to greater volumes of wastewater.
“A significant advantage of wastewater testing is that it does not rely on people getting clinically tested to pick up potential cases, which is why we are investing in innovative trials to expand the surveillance.
“Expanding our wastewater testing program is another way we are committed to protecting South Australians from the spread of COVID-19.”
The Department for Health and Wellbeing’s Principal Water Quality Advisor, Dr David Cunliffe, said the new technology is able to collect a more representative sample from the sewage stream for testing.
“We are always looking at ways to boost our wastewater testing program and trialling this technology is part of our ongoing commitment to enhance our sampling and testing processes,” Dr Cunliffe said.
“The 20-centimetre-long single-use submarines are 3D printed in-house, with the capacity to print two per day to meet demand for weekly wastewater testing.
“The perforated design of the device encases a swab or membrane that collects the sample, which is then tested for any trace of COVID-19.
“All results from the wider surveillance program are published on the SA Health website so the community is fully informed.”
SA Water’s Senior Manager of Water Expertise and Research, Dr Daniel Hoefel, said although the trial is still in early days, the technology is already proving to be an effective sampling tool.
“The sewer subs make our sampling process more efficient, and combined with the expertise of our field and lab teams, are ensuring we can continue playing our part in stopping the spread of COVID-19,” Dr Hoefel said.
“We will use the results of the trial to determine whether to use this technology on an ongoing basis across more of our wastewater sampling points.”
To view South Australia’s COVID-19 wastewater results visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/covidwastewater
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