LSSU research helps track community health through wastewater

SAULT STE. MARIE — Lake Superior State University recently announced the renewal of a grant that allows them to track the overall health of the community through wastewater.

The grant provides $1,033,439 in funds from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, starting this October, for the university to continue research it first began in 2020.

It started as a method of tracking the rate of COVID-19 in the city at a time when voluntary testing was declining. The testing is done through the city's sewer system, so while it allows the university to keep count of the overall amount of people who currently have the disease, it does not allow them or anyone else to determine if a specific person has it.

"It became very difficult for public health departments to anticipate large outbreaks," said project lead investigator Benjamin Southwell. "This information helps local hospitals and health organizations prepare for using more resources and staffing."

In the years it has been active, the program has expanded to include tracking for other viruses, including norovirus, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

The SEWER Network includes many research stations throughout the state, including at LSSU, which use waste from the city sewer systems to track how common COVID-19 and other viruses are within the community.

"If you live inside Sault Ste. Marie near the city limits when you flush the toilet, all that wastewater in the whole city makes its way to the wastewater treatment plant," said Southwell. "Through this we can detect infection rates for COVID and other diseases without revealing the information of individuals."

The research is spread to local health partners, including the Chippewa County Health Department, LMAS District Health Department and the Bay Mills Indian Community. The information is used to make health decisions in the entire eastern Upper Peninsula.

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“This grant renewal underscores our collective dedication to safeguarding public health through innovative approaches,” said Steven Johnson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at LSSU. “By analyzing wastewater samples from 16 locations on a weekly basis, we gain invaluable insights into the spread and prevalence of infectious diseases, empowering decision-makers to implement targeted interventions and mitigate risks effectively.”

The program also includes student researchers. More than 25 students have participated in research at various points and at least four more will be involved in the next stage of the project.

The grant allocation supports the operation of the Environmental Molecular Biology Lab and sustains essential personnel, including two full-time staff members, Dr. Michelle Jarvie and Deidre Furlich. In total, over the past four years the project has received $4.37 million.

“Lake Superior State University is appreciative of the State of Michigan’s continued investment in the expertise of our faculty," said LSSU President David Travis. "A grant renewal of this magnitude indicates a high level of satisfaction regarding the work done to this point. The continuation of this support furthers our commitment to serving the Sault Ste. Marie community and surrounding areas. This project provides important health-related information for this area.”

— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com

This article originally appeared on The Sault News: LSSU research helps track community health through wastewater