I serve on the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority and was familiar with wastewater surveillance for opioids. But the research by Mathematica that I read about was measuring the viral load of COVID in wastewater. Our board agreed it was data we wanted as part of our county’s COVID response. 

In looking for a funding partner, I was led to Dogwood Health Trust, and they quickly said they would fund as a pilot study. With Dogwood’s grant we tested the main Jackson County reservoir, and the data showed that spikes in community spread were preceded by elevated levels of the virus in the wastewater. In fact, the first sample collected showed a high viral load, then about nine days later the number of COVID cases in Jackson County spiked from eight to 21. 

This science is new, but since utilities are equipped for sampling a single test can measure the exposure of thousands of people. It’s important for rural communities like ours to have the right partners to make projects like this possible. I encourage all rural counties to pursue innovative ideas, and more importantly, innovative partners who value the insight of local leaders. 

Ron Mau, Commissioner 

Jackson County Board of Commissioners