Research
Our nascent team has pioneered WBE research since 2010 to become an international player with strong collaborative industry, government and community links.
Infectious disease
In 2020 we witnessed an unprecedented crisis in healthcare systems due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has highlighted the importance of rapid population-wide disease prevalence monitoring tools for fast recognition and response to changes in infections. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has become an important complimentary tool to individual testing that has provided effective community-wide pathogen surveillance.
Examples of work done in the Centre include: (1) development of new approaches for infectious diseases and immune response monitoring, (2) understanding of antimicrobials’ usage, environmental hotspots (WWTPs and hospitals) and AMR risks, (3) impact of SARS-CoV-2 on lifestyle choices, pain treatment, non-communicable disease prevalence and personal care products (e.g. disinfectants) use.
Assessment of restriction measures implemented during COVID pandemics on community lifestyle choices via wastewater-based epidemiology
This study examined the impact of COVID-19 on lifestyle habits and community wellbeing in two towns (Paulton, Radstock) and two cities (Bath, Bristol) in the UK, over two years, using wastewater-based epidemiology. By monitoring illicit drugs, legal stimulants, abused pharmaceuticals, and pain medication usage, and correlating findings with pandemic measures such as lockdowns and movement restrictions, the research revealed significant trends: cocaine use decreased by 36% during the first lockdown, while amphetamine (+8%), cocaine (+39%), and ketamine (+70%) use increased after the third lockdown when restrictions eased. Caffeine consumption fell by 39% post-third lockdown, nicotine intake remained stable, and the use of pain medications linked to sports injuries (naproxen, diclofenac) declined due to reduced access to sports facilities. Conducted in collaboration with Wessex Water and funded by EPSRC and other partners, the study highlights how wastewater analysis can track community behavioural changes during a pandemic.
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