Researchers Detected STIs in Washington Wastewater

A study published in ACS ES&T Water analyzed samples to track common sexually transmitted infections across the state.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Sexual Health

Isometric editorial illustration showing laboratory pipettes near a drain cover, representing a study on tracking public health trends via wastewater samples. — Researchers in Washington state have successfully detected evidence of common sexually transmitted infections in municipal wastewater, exploring the feasibility of this surveillance as a public health monitoring tool. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local health officials use wastewater monitoring to help track disease outbreaks in your community?

Researchers identified evidence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Treponema pallidum in Washington wastewater samples collected through February 2025. The study evaluated the feasibility of using municipal surveillance to monitor the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in local communities.

Why it matters

Wastewater surveillance offers a potential method for tracking public health trends that does not rely exclusively on clinical visits. This approach may provide researchers with broader insights into the spread of STIs across diverse populations.

Researchers analyzed 132 treatment plant samples and 86 neighborhood-level samples in Washington. Chlamydia trachomatis appeared in up to 80% of neighborhood tests, while gonorrhea detection in treatment plants peaked at 11%.

The players

ACS ES&T Water

This is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes research regarding water quality and environmental engineering.

The details

The study compared wastewater findings against clinical case data to determine if public sewage systems could serve as reliable indicators for STI activity. Scientists found no direct association between the size of the population served and the rate of STI detection in the water.

January 2022 to June 2022: Researchers collected 86 neighborhood-level wastewater samples.
November 2024 to February 2025: Researchers collected 132 wastewater treatment plant samples.

The Big Picture

This research follows a pattern set by the implementation of COVID-19 wastewater surveillance protocols. The study adapts the testing framework established during the pandemic to monitor different types of infectious agents.

This monitoring method does not currently change individual medical treatment or personal diagnostic routines. It functions primarily as a public health tool to better understand infection prevalence at the population level.

The takeaway

Wastewater testing could eventually supplement traditional clinical reporting by providing a more comprehensive view of infection trends. Readers should continue to rely on local healthcare providers for personal testing and treatment options for STIs.