Managing outbreaks of disease currently relies on large-scale and costly mass testing of individuals. Collection and processing take several days - crucial time in fast-moving outbreaks.

Covid-19 highlighted successful outbreak management is critically dependent on real-time, cost-effective and comprehensive surveillance systems, that allow community-wide testing, irrespective of location.

Wastewater contains a complex mix of biomarkers, including toxic chemicals and pathogens. This provides a diagnostic medium for community health status assessment, giving detailed real-time, anonymous and low-cost information on population health and disease.

We aim to transform public and environmental health management, establishing the first Urban Living Lab facility; a state-of-the-art digital water sensing platform, training base and ideas hub. The centre will combine sensing, mathematical modelling, data analytics and informatics with epidemiology and public engagement tools.

Effective resilience-building for public and environmental health is multi-dimensional, cross-discipline and requires whole system collaboration.

We're partnering with government organisations (UK Health Security Agency, Environment Agency, Bath and East Somerset Research Council); water industry and consultancies (Wessex Water, ARUP); hospital trusts (Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust); sensor and information systems industries (Tesla Diagnostix, AWS, The London Data Company, Waters); and universities (Cardiff University, University of Exeter, the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Stellenbosch University and University of Lagos).