Ontario Researchers Disappointed as Funding for Critical Wastewater Monitoring Program Set to End

Ontario researchers are facing disappointment as provincial funding for a critical wastewater monitoring program is set to be terminated, bringing an end to vital research efforts. The decision to cut funding for the program, which has been instrumental in monitoring not only COVID-19 but also other respiratory viruses and contaminants in the water, has sparked concerns among experts. Mark Servos, a biology professor at the University of Waterloo and the Canada research chair in water quality protection, has been at the forefront of this research initiative. The program, which involved monitoring wastewater in various regions of the province, provided valuable insights beyond just COVID-19 markers, including tracking levels of influenza A, influenza B, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), and other contaminants.