This bill would add a new section to the Public Health Service Act to create a National Wastewater Surveillance System. It directs the Secretary, acting through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to expand, intensify, and coordinate wastewater monitoring to detect and monitor pathogens. The bill names examples of pathogens that may be monitored, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, mpox, dengue, West Nile virus, and respiratory syncytial virus. It requires the Secretary to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible entities to establish, maintain, or improve wastewater detection and monitoring for public health emergency preparedness and response. The bill also states that wastewater utilities or service providers are not required to comply with a request for wastewater surveillance.
If enacted, a federal program would expand coordinated wastewater testing and provide federal funding to eligible entities to set up or improve wastewater-based detection of infectious diseases. The law lists several example pathogens that could be included. The bill explicitly does not force wastewater utilities or service providers to participate in surveillance requests.
The bill authorizes $150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, with those funds to remain available until expended. No publicly available information on estimated total federal cost beyond these authorizations or on budget offsets.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.