COVID-19 Wastewater

People infected with COVID-19 can shed the virus through their stool, even if they don't have any symptoms. Testing a community's sewage (wastewater) can tell us if COVID-19 is increasing or decreasing in that community.

Our scientists have developed a pan-Canadian wastewater network to monitor the spread of COVID-19 in Canada. This is in collaboration with provincial, territorial and municipal governments and academia across Canada.

Some communities and local health authorities are collecting wastewater samples for analysis by Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory. Analysis helps detect the virus that causes COVID-19 and variants.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Last Updated January 20, 2026, 00:33 (UTC)
Created January 16, 2026, 20:38 (UTC)
crisis_categories Crises sanitaires
criticality_level Élevé
data_formats CSV; HTML
description_fr People infected with COVID-19 can shed the virus through their stool, even if they don't have any symptoms. Testing a community's sewage (wastewater) can tell us if COVID-19 is increasing or decreasing in that community. Our scientists have developed a pan-Canadian wastewater network to monitor the spread of COVID-19 in Canada. This is in collaboration with provincial, territorial and municipal governments and academia across Canada. Some communities and local health authorities are collecting wastewater samples for analysis by Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory. Analysis helps detect the virus that causes COVID-19 and variants.
fair_openness Level 2 - Machine-readable
geographic_scope Canada
opening_level Donnée ouverte au grand public
sector health_and_safety
sensitivity_level Faible
source_inventaire Inventaire_F
source_url https://msss.gouv.qc.ca/professionnels/statistiques/documents/covid19/COVID19_Qc_RapportINSPQ_HistoVigie.csv
title_fr COVID-19 Wastewater
update_frequency Chaque semaine