COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 14, 2020

QUESTION NO. 11

QUESTION: Councillor Alan Edge

To ask the Chief Executive if he is aware whether samples from the South Dublin region are being included in the ongoing UCD research project to monitor sewage discharge points for advanced warning of covid-19?
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2020/0609/1146441-raw-sewage-covid/ 

REPLY:

SDCC is aware of the research project.  Irish Water was contacted for further detail and the following report was received:

No specific sampling is being undertaken in the SDCC area, however, sampling is being undertaken at Ringsend WWTP where SDCC sewage is treated. This sampling is being undertaken by UCD as per below

The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in stool samples of infected individuals implies that surveillance of sewage entering wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) can be used to monitor the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in the population. This, therefore, provides data on the effectiveness of public health-mandated measures and may potentially serve as an early warning system for its re-emergence.