Expanding Wastewater Surveillance in Tribal Communities

Wastewater surveillance is a valuable public health tool that allows tribes to respond more quickly to public health needs and increase partnerships within their communities. With the implementation of this project, the SPTHB seeks to improve capacity to develop, implement and evaluate wastewater surveillance programs and services.

The purpose of this project is to provide support to tribes and tribal organizations interested in building their wastewater surveillance knowledge, awareness, infrastructure and capacity. The SPTHB/OKTEC has implemented the following three objectives:

1. Establish and maintain Tribal public health partnerships and collaborations within the Southern Plains region.
2. Develop, update, and disseminate culturally relevant public health resources and opportunities, such as community informed public health tools like a texting tree, public health service announcement, videos, social media posts, and infographics.
3. Build wastewater workforce capacity by providing culturally relevant training to tribal partners.

The activities supporting these objectives include:

1. Work with tribal partners to build capacity, knowledge, and awareness of wastewater surveillance.
2. Create and utilize a communication plan to disseminate resources related to wastewater surveillance through the SPTHB texting tree service, social media posts, and educational videos.
3. Create culturally relevant public health resources and opportunities to educate and inform tribal health officials and other tribal leaders on the importance of wastewater surveillance in their communities
4. Promote wastewater related trainings to our partners through various communication methods, including the SPTHB texting tree and social media.