What is wastewater surveillance? 

Wastewater is also known as sewage. It includes water that may contain human waste. Some examples include toilets, showers, sinks, and other household activities. Wastewater can also include rainwater and water used in industrial processes. Each wastewater treatment plant handles the sewage from buildings in the sewage system. All of this water flows to the same treatment plant. Some germs that make people sick end up in wastewater. We use wastewater testing to measure changes in germs and chemicals.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV) are arboviral illnesses spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquito, animal, and human specimens are tested for the presence of EEE and WNV at Maine's Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL). Animal specimens may also be tested through the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL). The state of Maine organizes routine mosquito trapping at selected sites, and routinely tests those mosquitoes for disease. The mosquito trapping season runs from July to September. Maine no longer routinely tests birds.

Animal-borne diseases/infections are those which can be naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans. Approximately 75% of recently emerging diseases affecting humans are diseases of animal origin. Many factors like environmental changes, human and animal demography, pathogen changes and changes in farming practice lead to the emergence of animal-borne diseases. Social and cultural factors such as food habits and religious beliefs play a role in the emergence of animal-borne diseases.

The Capacity Development Training Reimbursement Fund (TRF) enables training providers to receive funding for training public water system operators, owners, and personnel. The purpose of the Capacity Development TRF is to subsidize the costs associated with training water system operators/personnel on topics approved by the Maine Board of Licensure for Water System Operators.

2025 Capacity Development TRF Application (PDF)

Reimbursement Amounts

The DWP has reserved a total of $160,000 for the State Fiscal Year 2025 Program.

Maine implemented its Plan of Safe Care 2021 (Phase One) process on January 1. A federally mandated document, the primary goal of a Plan of Safe Care is deliberate attention to ensuring the supported and ongoing safety, well-being and best possible long-term health and developmental outcomes for substance exposed infants, their mothers and other caregivers.

Public water systems may contract with another utility or water operator contracting firm for Designated Operator services. Although owners and operators of public water systems share responsibility for ensuring public health, Designated Operators are responsible for all water quality and quantity decisions.

The table below lists products and devices approved by the Department for use with onsite sewage disposal systems. Product approvals go back to July, 1974. To the best of our knowledge this list is complete.

Links to manufacturer/vendor websites will open in new windows.
 

2025 Intended Use Plan (PDF) for the Base, Supplemental & Emerging Contaminant Capitalization Grants

The Ryan White Part B Program provides help for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS in Maine. When you work with us, your personal information is completely confidential.