The Feasibility of Using WBE and GIS to Monitor COVID-19 in a Small Town or Rural Setting

As COVID-19 spread throughout the United States and the world in general, researchers and officials tried to monitor the spread of the pandemic. Much of this research focused on municipalities and not rural areas or small towns. This research was done to see if using wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) and graphical information systems (GIS) could be feasible in a rural/small town setting. A definition of feasibility for this context was established samples of wastewater were collected from Canyon, Texas and analyzed, with the results plotted on map using ArcGIS Pro. Other factors of feasibility such as accuracy of results, demand, acceptability, costs, time, practicality, and how to implement and integrate the process were analyzed using the experience of collecting and testing the wastewater samples. The results sided with the prospect that it is feasible to track COVID-19, and other pathogens, through wastewater using WBE and GIS. However, the ones doing the sample collection, testing, and mapping should be trained. Finally, the local officials should weigh the benefits against the practicality, demand, and acceptability of using WBE and GIS to decide if the method should be used.