Conducting continuous wastewater-based epidemiology testing and reporting on infectious diseases found in wastewater, and to repeal section 24-531 of such code, relating to the creation of a pilot program to test sewage for SARS-CoV-2 RNA.

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to conducting continuous wastewater-based epidemiology testing and reporting on infectious diseases found in wastewater, and to repeal section 24-531 of such code, relating to the creation of a pilot program to test sewage for SARS-CoV-2 RNA

This bill would require the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to conduct continuous wastewater-based epidemiology testing for infectious diseases deemed to be a local, state, national or public health emergency by state or federal authorities. This testing would include testing for the viruses that cause COVID-19 and monkeypox for as long as those diseases are declared to be a imminent threat to public health, a local, state, or national public health emergency, or a global pandemic. This bill would also require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to publish the results of wastewater testing under the program on its website on a weekly basis and issue an annual report.