Denver Partners with Biobot Analytics for Fentanyl Wastewater Testing

Denver Partners with Biobot Analytics for Fentanyl Wastewater Testing

Published on July 18, 2024

Denver Partners with Biobot Analytics for Fentanyl Wastewater Testing

DDPHE announces new project supported by Opioid Abatement Settlement Funding

DENVER- The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) is partnering with Biobot Analytics to address the opioid crisis through a wastewater testing program for high-risk substances, including fentanyl. Supported by Opioid Abatement Settlement Funding, this collaboration marks a reimagined way to safeguard public health and address substance use in the Denver area.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is linked to an increasing number of fatal overdoses in Denver. While DDPHE works to address the misuse of opioids in our community, leveraging Biobot's advanced technology and expertise in wastewater epidemiology will enable DDPHE to detect and quantify population consumption levels of fentanyl and other substances within the Denver sewer shed.

"DDPHE is committed to funding innovative solutions to address complex public health challenges," said Karin McGowan, executive director of DDPHE. "Together, we are confident that the combined efforts will yield meaningful insights and drive positive outcomes in the fight against the opioid epidemic in Denver."

By testing wastewater samples taken from Metro Water Recovery's Robert W. Hite Treatment Facility, the project will generate city-wide public health insights that inform targeted interventions, resource allocation, and evidence-based strategies for prevention and harm reduction. This data-driven approach will bolster Denver's overdose prevention efforts by detecting the presence of fentanyl, its adulterations, and related substances to better anticipate spikes in use within the community.

Biobot Analytics brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this collaboration, having successfully partnered with the National Institute on Drug Abuse to implement similar initiatives in communities across the country. "We're thrilled to partner with Denver on this innovative program," said Biobot CEO Mariana Matus. "It's exciting to see so much momentum and support for wastewater epidemiology not only as a method to track infectious diseases, but also as a valuable tool to combat a range of public health threats, including the opioid epidemic."

About Biobot Analytics

Biobot Analytics is a global leader in wastewater epidemiology, founded with the goal of transforming wastewater infrastructure into real-time public health observatories. Having worked at hundreds of locations across all US states and territories and several countries, Biobot produces actionable information from wastewater to improve the health of communities around the world. Separately from their infectious illnesses work, Biobot also analyzes wastewater for the presence of High Risk Substances, such as opioids, to help communities better respond to substance use and implement harm reduction programming. More information on our mission and technology is available at our website, www.biobot.io. ­­ ­

FAQ:

What is fentanyl wastewater monitoring?

• Wastewater monitoring can serve as an early warning system for the presence of fentanyl in communities. Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, can be excreted in urine and end up in wastewater through human waste. By monitoring wastewater, we can detect the presence of fentanyl and potentially anticipate spikes in its use within the community. This proactive approach can aid in targeted interventions and prevention efforts to combat the opioid crisis and save lives.

What is being measured in this project?

• In collaboration with scientists from Biobot Analytics, we are monitoring consumption of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, nicotine, and xylazine through wastewater analysis.

What is fentanyl?

• Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Therefore, overdoses happen faster and are harder to stop. It comes in pills, pure powders, and powder mixed with other drugs. It cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled when mixed into other drugs.

Where are samples collected?

• Samples are collected at Metro Water Recovery's Robert W. Hite Treatment Facility, which is the largest wastewater treatment facility in the Rocky Mountain West and serves an estimated 2.2 million people.

How often are samples collected?

• Samples are collected by Metro Water Recovery and sent to Biobot's laboratory for analysis. The current program entails one sample per week, but more samples can be collected if necessary, in the future.

Will samples be tested for other types of substances?

• Samples will be tested for Biobot's panel of High Risk Substances, which includes Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Xylazine and Trans-3'-hydroxycotinine (metabolite of nicotine).

Can the data collected in wastewater monitoring be used to identify personal health information?

• No, the samples collected represent a population rather than individuals. Chemical analysis of samples does not produce any personally identifiable information. Wastewater aggregates all human waste in a community (one sample is usually representative of tens or hundreds of thousands of people), naturally anonymizing each sample.

When will the project take place?

• This contract award provides funding for the project through the calendar year of 2024, with options to extend the work beyond that.

Will there be public data and when will it start?

• The exact protocols for data sharing and the creation of a public dashboard are still in development. A period of 3 months is generally required to establish a baseline of High Risk Substance data in wastewater, at which point DDPHE will consider additional data sharing methods.

How will the city use this information?

• This data will serve as an additional data source to oversee substance use trends and spikes in biomarkers for certain substances in Denver, and can be used to overlay with other data sources about rates of fatal/nonfatal overdoses, Narcan distribution, etc.

Will the city share this data with law enforcement?

• Wastewater data will not be used for law enforcement purposes, but only to inform harm reduction strategies and public health interventions.

Want more information about wastewater testing?

• For additional information about wastewater testing in Denver, email [email protected].

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