Exploration of Public Perceptions of Wastewater Surveillance, United States, June 2024

Community wastewater surveillance (WS) is a valuable tool for informing public health action, but its effects on individual health behaviors rely on public understanding and awareness. We analyzed 2,024 free text responses from a national survey on perceptions of WS conducted during June 19-23, 2024, to gain insights into public perceptions of WS. Primary themes among 1,181 detailed responses included varying levels of trust in government and authorities, the need for more information about the effectiveness and accuracy of monitoring, desire to understand public health implications, and the need for more education and communication. Those findings could help inform community engagement strategies as WS continues to evolve.