GUADCARE project

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had a global impact on health, economic, and social sectors, driving the search for new solutions to monitor the spread of emerging viruses. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has gained relevance, as it allows for the detection of emerging contaminants and tracking of virus circulation in populations through the analysis of genetic material in wastewater. In this context, the ATALAYA project initiative emerged, as well as its continuation through the present project.

 

GOservicios, the laboratory of Global Omnium, aims to design and develop a tool to monitor population health by focusing on the assessment of emerging

contaminants, particularly various viral pathogens. To achieve this goal, the project will focus on the following aspects:

 

1. Monitoring emerging viruses through the analysis of wastewater, both from the sewage network and the inlet and outlet of treatment plants.
2. Assessing the incidence of emerging viruses in the population.
3. Evaluating the effectiveness of treatment plants in the elimination of viral pathogens.

Achieving these objectives will allow the monitoring of pathogen evolution, identification of risk areas, and potential outbreaks, which are crucial for addressing future microbiological challenges. This advancement will strengthen epidemiological surveillance and public health protection, in compliance with updates to the European Directive on urban wastewater.

 

GUADCARE is co-financed by the Valencian Institute of Competitiveness and Innovation (IVACE+i) and may be co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Operational Programme of the Valencian Community 2021–2027 (Ref. INNTA3/2024/10).