Courage Forward Strategies recently partnered with the National League of Cities (NLC) to lead a series of workshops designed to unlock the potential of wastewater monitoring as a transformative tool for public health.
Convened in Dallas County, TX, Laredo, TX, and Wayne County, MI, these workshops united public health officials, utilities, researchers, and local leaders to develop actionable strategies and foster collaboration. Each workshop was uniquely tailored to address the local needs of its community. From Dallas County’s focus on regional coordination to Laredo’s innovative partnerships between public health and public safety, and Wayne County’s foundational exploration of wastewater program development, every session provided practical lessons and sparked impactful conversations.
Key insights from these workshops include:
Lay the Groundwork: Foundational research and peer learning, as demonstrated in Wayne County, are essential for building sustainable programs.
Build Bridges: Trust and collaboration among diverse stakeholders are the backbone of effective and lasting initiatives.
Customize for Impact: Tailored approaches, like Laredo’s focus on cross-departmental alignment, maximize the effectiveness of monitoring efforts.
Leverage Innovations: Technological advancements are enabling faster, more precise detection of public health threats, transforming what’s possible.
CFS extends heartfelt thanks to NLC and the host cities and counties for their incredible partnership and leadership throughout this initiative. Together, they have laid a strong foundation for communities nationwide to adopt wastewater monitoring as a powerful public health tool.
The lessons learned from these workshops—authored by the CFS team—are detailed in the NLC blog, 4 Lessons to Guide Cities in Wastewater Monitoring Efforts. As more communities embrace these insights, wastewater monitoring has the potential to revolutionize public health, fostering healthier and more resilient communities across the country.