SEWER Act

This bill, known as the SEWER Act , amends the Public Health Service Act to establish and expand a National Wastewater Surveillance System . This system, to be managed by the Secretary through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, aims to intensify and coordinate activities for detecting and monitoring various pathogens in wastewater to enhance public health emergency preparedness and response. The primary goal is to track infectious diseases such as SARS-CoV-2, influenza, mpox, dengue, West Nile virus, and respiratory syncytial virus, providing crucial data for public health interventions. To support these efforts, the bill authorizes an appropriation of $150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, with funds remaining available until expended. These funds will facilitate the establishment, maintenance, or improvement of wastewater surveillance activities by eligible entities. A significant provision clarifies that nothing in the amendment requires a wastewater utility or service provider to comply with a request for wastewater surveillance, ensuring voluntary participation in this vital public health initiative.