One Test to Rule them All! Tracking COVID-19 in our Sewers

03/22/21 • 20 min

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Welcome to the first episode of the Water We Doing Podcast!
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone across this planet, has tested our ability to adapt, develop and role out vaccines and figure out efficient ways to test and monitor our entire population.
When testing is limited, what is the best way to understand the spread of a virus in a large population? In this episode we learn about Wastewater Surveillance and how you can test samples from our sewers to understand where the virus has spread. We get insight from Dr. Steve Hrudey the Chair of the COVID-19 Wastewater Coalition from the Canadian Water Network. Dr. Hrudey helps us understand how this technology works, where it's been used before, and how it can be used in the future.
You don't have to be a math whiz to know that being able to test an entire population with one sample versus testing everyone individually means a lot less work. This technology is becoming even more important as we begin tracking new variants within our communities and begin planning to protect ourselves for any potential future pandemics.
To find out more about the wastewater surveillance for COVID-19 in Canada and the Canadian Water Network COVID-19 Wastewater Coalition Click Here.
To find out more about the Aquatic Biosphere Project Click Here.

The Aquatic Bisophere Project
The ABP is establishing a conservation Aquarium in the Prairies to help tell the Story of Water.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Season 1 Trailer

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This podcast is for anyone who is interested in the most important thing in the world.
Water.
In this podcast we will explore a bunch of different global problems that may not come to mind when you think about water, but they most certainly boil down to how we use this precious resource. We will talk to experts and figure out all the secrets about water, it’s uses, and the organisms that depend on it.
In season One we cover a huge range of water issues ranging from ghost fishing, fish fraud, to how climate change affects locust plagues across Africa, and plastics in the ocean.
Episodes will begin to be released on World Water Day March 22nd. Story telling episodes will be released every monday. Our full length interviews with experts will be released as special "Deep Dive" episodes throughout the week.

Next Episode

What's so Scary About Ghost Fishing?

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It's estimated that we lose 640,000 tonnes of fishing gear every year in our oceans. This gear continues to kill fish and other marine organisms and pollutes our marine environment with plastic. What are we doing about it?
In this episode we speak with Joel Baziuk the Deputy Director of the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) from the Ocean Conservancy and Bourton Scott and Ally Stocks from the Emerald Sea Protection Society. Joel helps to coordinate global efforts to improve fishing gear to decrease the risks of it being lost at sea and to help coordinate global cleanup efforts. Bourton and Ally are part of a team that has partnered with the GGGI to help cleanup the waters around Vancouver Island.
We talk about what's currently being done, what can be done in the future, how to get involved and what can be made from recycled nets pulled from the sea!
For more information about the Global Ghost Gear Initiative, what they are working on and how you can get involved with their ghost gear reporting app for your phone Click Here.
For more information about the Emerald Sea Protection Society and the nets they are removing off the coast of Vancouver Island Click Here.
Check out the Following Brands for cool products made from Ghost Gear!

Bureo for skateboards, clothing, frisbees, sunglasses, etc.
Fourth Element for swimwear.
Axiom for cycling gear.
ECONYL for nylon clothing.
BraceNet for bracelets.
BlueCycle for furniture.
Sea2See for glasses.
Healthy Seas Socks for Socks.
Popsicase for phone cases.
2nd Chance Ropeworks for rugs.

For more information about the Aquatic Biosphere Project and what we are doing to tell the story of water Click Here.

Water We Doing? - One Test to Rule them All! Tracking COVID-19 in our Sewers

Transcript

David Evans00:00:19.379

Hi, and welcome to the first episode of the Water We Doing? podcast. My name is David Evans, and I'm the host and producer, and I'm so excited to go on this journey with you as we talk to experts about global issues. And we ask, what are we doing? And how can we do better. This is the official podcast of the Aquatic Biosphere Project out of Edmonton, Alberta, where we are planning to bring a water education and conservation facility to the prov