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SEWER Act
2/26/2025, 5:23 AM
Summary of Bill HR 766
The primary goal of this legislation is to strengthen public health emergency preparedness and response efforts by utilizing wastewater as a tool for early detection of infectious diseases. By monitoring wastewater, health officials can identify potential outbreaks and take proactive measures to prevent the spread of diseases within communities.
In addition to enhancing disease surveillance, the bill also aims to improve coordination and communication among federal, state, and local health agencies. By providing funding for research, training, and infrastructure development, the legislation seeks to build a more robust and effective system for detecting and responding to infectious disease threats. Overall, Bill 119 hr 766 represents a proactive approach to public health by leveraging innovative technologies and strategies to enhance our ability to detect and monitor infectious diseases. By investing in wastewater-based surveillance, the legislation aims to improve our readiness to respond to public health emergencies and protect the health and safety of all Americans.
Congressional Summary of HR 766
Surveilling Effluent Water for Epidemic Response Act or the SEWER Act
This bill provides statutory authority for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) program, which detects and monitors pathogens in wastewater. It requires the CDC to expand and intensify the activities of the NWSS, including with respect to SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), influenza, mpox, dengue, West Nile virus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
The NWSS provides funding and guidance to public health departments for wastewater surveillance activities. Under the NWSS, health departments and other partners coordinate on wastewater surveillance at sampling sites and share data with the CDC. The NWSS was initially implemented to monitor SARS-CoV-2 and has since expanded to include influenza A, avian influenza A, mpox, and RSV.

