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Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in urban wastewater: An entropy-based multi-objective optimization approach for optimal selection of sampling points

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  • gnest_06951_in press.pdf
  • Paper ID
    gnest_06951
  • Paper status
    In press
  • Date paper submitted
  • Date paper accepted
  • Date paper online
DOI
https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.06951
Graphical abstract
Abstract

Monitoring wastewater for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 proved to be a useful tool during COVID-19 pandemic and it is in place, until today, at many Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) in Greece and elsewhere. Identification of virus in wastewater can be a valuable indicator for the early detection of the virus’s upsurges or the evaluation of the disease’s spread. Since this practice might become common in the future, for inspection of SARS-CoV-2 or other viruses, it is important to develop methodologies for identifying the optimum sampling sites, which can provide the most reliable information for the virus’s transmission. In the present study, an optimization procedure is proposed for selecting monitoring points, in terms of number and location across the sewer system. Optimization is based on entropy and total correlation, as well as on supervised population. Four sampling points, well distributed across the sewer system, appear to be a well-balanced solution for wastewater surveillance, while more than seven sampling points do not add significant information content.  

Keywords
wastewater-based epidemiology SARS-COV-2 viruses surveillance Optimization Wastewater EPA SWMM
Cite this article
Gkatzioura, A. and Zafeirakou, A. (2025) “Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in urban wastewater: An entropy-based multi-objective optimization approach for optimal selection of sampling points”, Global NEST Journal [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.06951.
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  • gnest_06951_in press.pdf