Healthy Water

Public Health & Wastewater-Based Epidemiology 

The Center for Healthy Air, Water and Soil is pioneering the use of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) to monitor environmental health risks across Louisville and Kentucky. Our innovative research tracks community health by analyzing wastewater for heavy metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), providing vital insights into the presence of hazardous pollutants that can threaten public wellbeing. Currently, we monitor five key sites weekly to identify disease trends and assess exposure to a wide range of pathogens and environmental contaminants. Our findings help inform local public health strategies and have gained national recognition through publications in major journals and collaborations with the CDC National Wastewater Surveillance program. By advancing our monitoring capabilities, we aim to enhance community health and safety in an ever-changing environment. 

Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) Collaboration 

The Malawi-based wastewater surveillance project, led by Dr. Rochelle Holm, is making significant strides in public health by conducting weekly monitoring at six sites in Southern Malawi. Now in its second year, this initiative has expanded its scope to include genomic analysis and has formed a partnership with SOS International to secure surplus medical supplies that align with our pathogen detection research. In addition, Dr. Holm is advising the UN Refugee Agency on establishing wastewater surveillance in the Dzaleka refugee camp in Malawi, further enhancing our efforts to address enteric diseases. The project's findings continue to contribute to national priorities and have been featured in many peer-reviewed journals, underscoring our commitment to improving health outcomes in Malawi. 

Ohio River Basin Restoration Plan

CHAWS partners with the Ohio River Way to promote restoration, recreation and regional development in the Ohio River Basin as well as advocate for federal funding to restore the basin’s ecology and improve community health. CHAWS supports the Ohio River Basin Restoration Plan, led by the National Wildlife Federation, working with the Ohio River Basin Alliance and federal legislators like Rep. Morgan McGarvey. They also back the Kentucky Ohio River Regional Recreation Authority (KORRRA), created through HB 712, to enhance outdoor recreation infrastructure across 25 Kentucky counties. Additionally, CHAWS and the Ohio River Way collaborate with the National Park Service to expand recreational access along a 300-mile stretch of the Ohio River, improving public access points and promoting the river as a resource for tourism and economic development. These efforts seek to restore the river basin while enhancing quality of life for its communities.