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Houston Wastewater Epidemiology

Using wastewater data to keep Houston safe and healthy

Houston Wastewater Epidemiology—a partnership between the Houston Health Department, Rice University, and Houston Public Works—monitors wastewater at locations throughout the city of Houston to detect the presence of germs that cause communicable illnesses like COVID-19, influenza (the flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Questions about Houston’s wastewater monitoring system? Visit Houston Wastewater Epidemiology or email us. 

    What is wastewater monitoring?

    What is wastewater monitoring and how does it work?

    People who are infected with certain illnesses shed particles of the germ that made them sick in their solid waste and urine. These particles pass into the wastewater system when people use the bathroom, where they can be detected and measured through a process called “wastewater monitoring.”

    Each week, teams from Houston Wastewater Epidemiology take wastewater samples from wastewater treatment plants, lift stations, and manholes across the city of Houston. The samples are delivered to two independent labs for analysis. The labs determine whether certain illness-causing germs are present in the wastewater. This information can serve as an early warning sign that illnesses are circulating or may soon start circulating in a community, giving the Houston Health Department an opportunity to encourage people to take actions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe and healthy.

    The most up-to-date information about Houston’s wastewater can be accessed online via the City of Houston Wastewater Monitoring Dashboard, which uses a color-coded, interactive map of Houston to show weekly levels of SARS-CoV-2 viral loads throughout the city and information about SARS-CoV-2, the flu, and RSV trends at certain HISD schools.

    Wastewater alert system for schools

    Wastewater alert system for schools

    In December 2020, the Houston Health Department and the Houston Independent School District (HISD) launched a pilot program to monitor wastewater from manholes that collect waste from the schools below. 

    The wastewater that is sampled comes only from bathrooms inside each school and no other location. The samples are analyzed to determine whether certain illness-causing germs are present in the wastewater. This information is made available to the existing nurse at each school. 

    In an effort to share school-related wastewater information more widely, the Houston Health Department has developed a system to alert Houstonians by text or email when the germs that cause COVID-19, the flu, and RSV are detected in the wastewater at monitored schools.

    Each week, recipients receive a separate alert for each germ detected in their selected school’s wastewater (no alerts are sent if no germs are detected). An alert message contains information about what people can do to keep themselves, their family members, and their community safe and healthy. 

    Sign up to get pilot school wastewater alerts via text message or email for one or more of these schools. 

    1. Barrick Elementary
    2. Benavidez Elementary
    3. Berry Elementary
    4. Bonner Elementary
    5. Braeburn Elementary
    6. Briscoe Elementary
    7. Brookline Elementary
    8. Burnet Elementary
    9. Challenge Early College High School
    10. Chavez High School
    11. Coop Elementary
    12. Cornelius Elementary
    13. Crespo Elementary
    14. Cunningham Elementary
    15. Davila Elementary
    16. De Chaumes Elementary
    17. Deady Middle School
    18. Durkee Elementary
    19. Edison Middle School
    20. Energized for Excellence Academy Elementary
    21. Farias Early Childhood Center
    22. Fonwood Early Childhood Center
    23. Franklin Elementary
    24. Gallegos Elementary
    25. Garcia Elementary
    26. Golfcrest Elementary
    27. Gregg Elementary
    28. Hartman Middle School
    29. Henry Middle School
    30. Houston Math Science and Technology Center
    31. Lorenzo Early Childhood Center
    32. Lyons Elementary
    33. Milby High School
    34. Mistral Center for Early Childhood
    35. Neff Early Learning Center
    36. Neff Elementary
    37. North Forest High School
    38. Park Place Elementary
    39. Patterson Elementary
    40. Reagan K-8 Educational Center
    41. Roderick R. Paige Elementary
    42. Rodriguez Elementary
    43. Scarborough Elementary
    44. Seguin Elementary
    45. Sharpstown International
    46. Southmayd Elementary
    47. Tijerina Elementary
    What if I get an alert?

    I received a wastewater alert—what do I do now?

    A wastewater alert notifies recipients that the germs that cause COVID-19, the flu, or RSV were detected in the wastewater at a monitored school. 

    If you receive an alert about an illness detected in your school’s wastewater, the most effective way to keep yourself, your family members, and your community safe is to get vaccinated for that illness if you are eligible. The Houston Health Department offers COVID-19, flu, and RSV immunizations at its health centers. Visit our immunizations page or call 832-393-5427 to find the center nearest you.
     

    Is my drinking water safe?

    Is my drinking water safe if the wastewater in my community tests positive for COVID-19, the flu, or RSV?

    Yes! Houston’s drinking water is provided through a separate system and remains completely safe.

    Learn more about Houston’s drinking water operations.

    Questions about Houston's wastewater monitoring system?
    Visit Houston Wastewater Epidemiology or email us.

    Resources

      COVID-19

      What is COVID-19?

      COVID-19 is a contagious illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. People with COVID-19 may experience respiratory symptoms that feel like a cold, the flu, or pneumonia. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some are at a higher risk of developing severe disease and may require hospitalization. COVID-19 is spread primarily through contact with droplets made by people who are sick when they cough, sneeze, or talk. In some cases, a person might get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the SARS-CoV-2 virus on it and then transferring the virus to their mouth, nose, or eyes.

      COVID-19 symptoms:

      • Fever or chills
      • Cough
      • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
      • Fatigue
      • Muscle or body aches
      • Headache
      • New loss of taste or smell
      • Sore throat
      • Congestion or runny nose
      • Nausea or vomiting
      • Diarrhea

      Note: New variants of COVID-19 may have different symptoms. Symptoms can also be different depending on your vaccination status.

      Actions you can take to protect yourself and others:

      • Stay home when you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19
      • Get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms
      • Get vaccinated: Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters
      • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
      • Improve ventilation and filtration to prevent virus particles from accumulating in indoor air and spend time outdoors when possible
      • Follow the CDC’s recommendations for what to do if you have been exposed to COVID-19, including wearing a high-quality mask when indoors and around others for 10 days after exposure (including inside your home), testing, and monitoring yourself for symptoms
      • Seek treatment if you have COVID-19 or are at high risk of getting very sick
      • Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19
      • Clean and disinfect surfaces that may be contaminated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus

      For more information about COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website.

      Influenza (flu)

      What is the flu?

      Influenza, or the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. Although flu viruses can be detected throughout the year, flu activity typically peaks during the fall and winter. The flu is spread primarily through contact with droplets made by people who are sick when they cough, sneeze, or talk. In some cases, a person might get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then transferring the virus to their mouth, nose, or eyes.

      Flu symptoms:

      • Fever or chills
      • Cough
      • Sore throat
      • Congestion or runny nose
      • Muscle or body aches
      • Fatigue
      • Vomiting and diarrhea (these symptoms are more common in children than adults)

      Actions you can take to protect yourself and others:

      • Stay home if you are sick (the CDC recommends waiting at least 24 hours after a fever is gone without a fever-reducing medicine before leaving home)
      • Get tested for the flu if you have symptoms
      • Get vaccinated: The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every year by the end of October
      • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
      • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or shirt sleeve, not your hands
      • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
      • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
      • Clean and disinfect surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus
      • Take flu antiviral medications if your doctor prescribes them

      For more information about the flu, visit the CDC’s website.

      Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

      What is RSV?

      Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a contagious respiratory virus that typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people with RSV recover within two weeks of getting sick, but infants and adults over the age of 60 years are at a higher risk of developing severe disease and may require hospitalization. RSV is spread through direct contact with the virus or touching a contaminated surface.

      RSV symptoms:

      • Runny nose
      • Decreased appetite
      • Coughing
      • Sneezing
      • Fever
      • Wheezing

      Actions you can take to protect yourself and others:

      • Stay home if you are sick
      • Get tested for RSV if you have symptoms
      • Get vaccinated if you are eligible: The FDA has approved two RSV vaccines for adults who are 60 years of age and older: Arexvy and Abrysvo. The CDC recommends one dose of Beyfortus (nirsevimab) for infants younger than 8 months who have not experienced an RSV season (typically fall through spring) and children between the ages of 8 and 19 months who are severely immunocompromised and about to experience their second RSV season. 
      • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
      • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or shirt sleeve, not your hands
      • Avoid close contact with others, including kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups or eating utensils
      • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices.

      For more information about RSV, visit the CDC’s website.
       

      Learn more about HHD programs and services or call 832-393-4220.

      Immunizations

      We protect Houston communities from vaccine-preventable diseases.

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      Health Centers

      We provide patient services to meet the community’s present and future needs in family planning, immunizations, tuberculosis diagnosis, care for sexually transmitted diseases, and dental care.

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      Page last reviewed: October 10, 2023