Environmental and Natural Resources

When Tracking the Pandemic, the Scoop May Be in the . . . Well, Sewer

by Patrick J. Paul Traditionally, Labor Day weekend in the United States means “back-to-school.” In this pandemic year, however, many schools remain closed indefinitely to in-person learning, while others opened early with the goal of completing the semester coincident with Thanksgiving break in November, thus limiting travel and the potential for future spread. As educational […]

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Wastewater Flows Can Predict COVID-19 Spread

by Patrick Paul As we reported previously, researchers at Arizona State University in Tempe have been evaluating the possible link between wastewater and the spread of the coronavirus in local communities.  Similar research is also being conducted in Northern Arizona and throughout the world. More particularly Crystal Hepp, an assistant professor at the Northern Arizona […]

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Sewage Surveillance to Assess Possible COVID-19 Spread in Tempe Wastewater

by Patrick J. Paul Researchers from Arizona State University are evaluating Tempe wastewater for traces of COVID-19, which could serve as an early warning system of the virus’s spread in communities.  Although believed to be among the first cities in America to study the possible connection between community spread of the coronavirus through wastewater systems, the […]

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COVID-19 Drones to the Rescue: an Opportunity to Shine

by Kelly A. Daly Around the world, drone enthusiasts are mobilizing to demonstrate the numerous benefits that Unmanned Aircraft Systems (“UAS” or “drones”) technology can offer during this COVID-19 pandemic. Equipped with beacons, spotlights, visual and thermal cameras, specialized sensors and computer vision systems, so-called “pandemic drones” can remotely detect sneezing and coughing and can […]

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