Challenges in the Implementation of Comprehensive Corona Wastewater Monitoring
The detection of pathogenic microorganisms and viruses such as coronaviruses is a challenging task due to the complex composition of wastewater and numerous influences in the sewer network. The more complex a sample, the higher the error rate when interpreting the results. The reliability and reproducibility of the results are extremely important when implementing a corona early warning system. Only then can the data collected be used for health management working in the background.
With the microbiological expertise of vermicon AG and the sewer technology expertise of HPC AG, we have successfully mastered this difficult task and thus provide you with a fully functional, robust surveillance system for SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and the connected sewer systems.
Why You Should Have Us Test You
vermicon AG is a pioneer in wastewater microbiology. Together with our partner HPC AG, the expert in quality assurance of sewer systems, we are committed to optimal reproducibility and reliability of results as well as customer-oriented support. Reliable, personal, scientifically sound - these are the guiding principles that motivate us in this partnership.
About vermicon AG
For more than 25 years vermicon AG has been systematically dealing with the most important topics of biological wastewater treatment. The experts in the direct analysis of microorganisms in wastewater work together with wastewater treatment plants, chemists, environmental technicians and process engineers worldwide to bring the performance of biological treatment to the highest level through continuous monitoring of the biocoenosis.
Our decades of experience in the application of molecular biological methods in wastewater are unique and therefore enable us to carry out reliable and highly effective wastewater monitoring for microorganisms and viruses.
certified sampling for high quality and reliable results | |
reliable results thanks to optimized RT-qPCR technology | |
results from 24 hours after arrival in the laboratory | |
dashboard with PDF report generation | |
personal support and availability of contact persons | |
scientifically sound and validated |
How Are the Samples Taken and Analyzed?
Type and procedure of the analysis
| Sampling volume | Concentration |
| min. 200 ml | 40 ml waste water sample |
Sampling options
| Scoop sampling | Qualified sampling | Time-proportional sampling | Volume-based sampling | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | manual | manual | automatic | automatic |
| Reference value | none | Time | Time | Volume |
| Volume Description | Waste water sample is taken manually. | Wastewater sample is taken manually several times a day at the same time. DIN specification: 5 individual samples in two hours. | Wastewater sample is taken automatically at defined intervals. | Wastewater sample is taken automatically after defined volume quantities. |
| Installation necessary | no | no | yes | yes |
| Costs for installation | none | none | medium | high |
| Pool sample | no | yes | yes | yes |
| manual effort | medium | high | low | low |
| representative statement | no | low | high | high |
A faecal indicator in the form of the plant virus PMMoV is used to take into account possible dilution effects in wastewater (e.g. during heavy rainfall). The measurement of PMMoV serves as a normalization standard and provides information on the faecal content of the wastewater sample.
Regular, representative sampling (e.g. 24-hour composite sample) and analysis can reliably detect and document the smallest changes in SARS-CoV-2 infection rates.
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