On this page
- Wastewater testing in Victoria
- Wastewater testing results
- The Victorian wastewater surveillance for COVID-19 program
- Metro results for last 28 days by sampling site and suburbs as of 03 October, 2022
- Regional results for last 28 days by sampling site and suburbs as of 03 October, 2022
- About wastewater
- Further information
Wastewater testing in Victoria
- Testing of wastewater can show if SARS-CoV-2 - the virus that causes COVID-19 - is present in a geographical area or population as well as the levels, presence of Variants (such as Delta or Omicron) and how these change over time.
- Victoria conducts wastewater surveillance and uses these results alongside testing, vaccine and case information and other health data in our COVID response efforts.
- People who have or have recently had COVID-19 may shed fragments of the virus. These fragments can enter wastewater through toilets, bowls, sinks and drains. This viral shedding may come from different sources such as used tissues, off hands and skin, or in stools. This shedding may last for a number of weeks beyond when a person is infectious.
- Samples of wastewater are collected from treatment plants and in the sewer network, both in metropolitan and regional locations. These samples are analysed for fragments of coronavirus.
- Wastewater results reflect the level and type of COVID in the local area which may inform both the local Public Health Unit’s actions as well as individual actions to promptly seek clinical testing if symptomatic, and practise COVID-safe behaviours with increased vigilance.
Wastewater testing results
This map has been produced with assistance from the Victorian water utilities. It is an approximation of the wastewater treatment plants and sewerage network catchments that are regularly tested for COVID-19. It is provided for general information and public health advice.
Select a wastewater collection site on the map for historical testing results.
Note: The map shows the most significant result of all the samples taken for each site during the last 7 days.
Legend
| Status | Wastewater treatment plant | Network area |
|---|---|---|
| No COVID-19 detected |  | |
| No tests performed in this period |  | |
| Non-quantifiable detection |  | |
| Weak detection |  | |
| Moderate detection |  | |
| Strong detection |  | |
| Very strong detection |  |
The Victorian wastewater surveillance for COVID-19 program
Regular collection of wastewater samples for COVID-19 in Victoria commenced on 24 August 2020.
| Total samples collected and reported (cumulative) | Samples Reported in the last 7 days |
|---|---|
30,797 | 55 |
Metro results for last 28 days by sampling site and suburbs as of 03 October, 2022
Hover over each icon to see the date of sample collection.
| Site/Last 28 day results | Localities include |
|---|---|
| Altona Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Altona, Altona Meadows, Seaholme, Sanctuary Lakes, and parts of Laverton, Point Cook, and Williams Landing |
| Boneo Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2  W3 W4 W5 | Arthurs Seat, Blairgowrie, Boneo, Dromana, Fingal, Main Ridge, Mccrae, Mount Martha, Portsea, Red Hill, Rosebud, Rosebud West, Rye, Safety Beach, Sorrento, St Andrews Beach, Tootgarook, Tuerong |
| Brushy Creek Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Chirnside Park, Croydon Hills, Croydon North, Croydon, Kilsyth, Lilydale, Montrose, Mooroolbark, Park Orchards, Ringwood North, Ringwood, Warrandyte South, Warranwood, Wonga Park |
| Central Eastern Suburbs Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | From Doreen in the North, to Carrum in the South, to Mulgrave in the East, to Ivanhoe in the West |
| Craigieburn Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Craigieburn and Mickleham |
| Eastern Treatment Plant Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Melbourne's eastern and southeastern suburbs |
| Frankston Area Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Carrum Downs, Frankston, Frankston North, Frankston South, Langwarrin, Mount Eliza, Sandhurst, Seaford, Skye |
| Inner Southern Suburbs Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | From Clifton Hill in the North, to Black Rock in the South, to Vermont in the East, to Port Melbourne in the West |
| Lilydale Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Chirnside Park, Coldstream, Lilydale, Montrose, Mount Evelyn, Yarra Glen |
| Melton Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Melton, Eynesbury and Rockbank |
| Mount Martha Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Mt Eliza, Mt Martha, Somerville, Langwarrin Sth, Langwarrin, Moorooduc, Frankston, Mornington, Frankston Sth, Baxter, Pearcedale |
| North Eastern Suburbs Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | From Epping in the North, to West Melbourne in the South, to Viewbank in the East, to Maribyrnong in the West |
| Outer Eastern Suburbs Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | From Croydon in the North, to Dandenong in the South, to Belgrave in the East, to Glen Waverly in the West |
| Outer North West Suburbs Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | From Sydenham in the North, to Laverton North in the South, to Braybrook in the East, to Burnside Heights in the West |
| Outer Northern Suburbs Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | From Mickleham in the North, to Tottenham in the South, to Thomastown in the East, to Sydenham in the West |
| Outer Southern Suburbs Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | From Endevour Hills in the North, to Botanic Ridge in the South, to Pakenham in the East, to Dandenong South in the West |
| Skeleton Creek Main - Hoppers Crossing Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, Truganina, Werribee, Williams Landing |
| Sunbury Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Sunbury, Diggers Rest |
| Western Treatment Plant Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Melbourne's western suburbs |
Regional results for last 28 days by sampling site and suburbs as of 03 October, 2022
Hover over each icon to see the date of sample collection.
| Site/Last 28 day results | Localities include |
|---|---|
| Bairnsdale Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Central Bairnsdale, West Bairnsdale, East Bairnsdale, Wy Yung, Eastwood, Nicholson and Shannon Waters |
| Ballarat South Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Ballarat, Ballarat East, Brown Hill, Canadian, Golden Point, Mt Clear, Buninyong, Sebastopol, Lucas, Alfredton, Lake Wendouree, Redan, Delacombe, Bonshaw, Enfield |
| Bendigo Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Bendigo and surrounding suburbs including Marong, Huntly, Maiden Gully, Strathfieldsaye |
| Black Rock Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Greater Geelong area, Leopold, Clifton Springs, Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Torquay and Jan Juc |
| Colac Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Colac and Elliminyt |
| Fernleigh Street Pump Station Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Bell Park, Bell Post Hill, Corio, Drumcondra, Fyansford, Geelong West, Hamlyn Heights, Herne Hill, Lara, Lovely Banks, Manifold Heights, Newtown, Norlane, North Geelong, North Shore, Rippleside, South Geelong |
| Horsham Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Horsham |
| Koorlong Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | two-thirds of Mildura, Red Cliffs, Irymple |
| Portland Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Portland |
| Shepparton Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Shepparton and Kialla |
| Traralgon (Gippsland Water Factory) Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Traralgon, Rosedale, Toongabbie, Glengarry, Boolarra, Yinnar, Churchill, Yallourn North and 50% of Morwell |
| Warrnambool Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Warrnambool, Allansford and Koroit |
| Wodonga Wk Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 | Wodonga, West Wodonga, Bandiana, Baranduda, Barnawartha, Bonegilla, Ebden, Killara, Kiewa, Leneva, Tangambalanga and the Logic Centre, Barnawartha North |
About wastewater
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Wastewater monitoring provides information on the presence, level and change over time in a local area of SARS-CoV-2 - the virus that causes COVID-19 - and whether Omicron, Delta or other Variants are present.
Wastewater monitoring can occur at any level in the sewage system – from large or small wastewater treatment plants, within the network at suburb level and at a localised building or facility level (such as industry, school, aged care, social housing or other facilities/communities).
We use this information alongside testing, vaccine and case information and other health data in our COVID response efforts.
The Victorian Health Department works closely with Victorian water utilities and specialist environmental laboratories to implement this adaptive program. Our collaborating researchers continue to innovate and share advances in this rapidly-evolving field.
Wastewater testing is not new. This method has been used around the world to monitor poliovirus, norovirus and adenovirus in wastewater for decades.
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People who have or recently have had COVID-19 may shed the virus or virus fragments onto used tissues, from their hands and skin when washing, and in their stool.
Over time, the virus breaks down and small pieces of the virus (called 'viral fragments') can enter wastewater through toilets, bowls, sinks and drains, and then travel through the sewer network.
While viral fragments may indicate that people living, working or visiting an area have or have recently had COVID-19, some people can shed the virus for several weeks, well beyond their infectious period. Individuals may shed before or without symptoms, and regardless of their COVID vaccination status.
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Samples of wastewater are collected at least once a week from wastewater treatment plants, in the sewage network or localised sites at metropolitan and regional locations.
The samples are analysed for viral fragments with results typically available in less than two working days.
These tests detect the specific virus – or Variant - associated with COVID-19 and distinguish it from other types of coronaviruses.
Positive wastewater samples may be further analysed to determine if Omicron, Delta or other COVID variants are present.
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Since late August 2020, wastewater samples have been collected from locations across the metropolitan and regional sewer network and at localised settings to be tested.
Wastewater samples are periodically taken from many sites, including the large Melbourne Eastern and Western wastewater treatment plants, regional wastewater treatment plants, and sites throughout metropolitan sewerage systems and larger regional centres.
The program is adaptive so that the locations and frequency of sampling are chosen to inform a local and state-wide response.
Samples are routinely taken from regional wastewater treatment plants and can be taken from catchments in regional areas or localised settings in situations when a more targeted investigation is required.
Wastewater results for all geographic catchments including residential and industrial areas are publicly available. Results for industry and other localised settings are provided to the specific facility and relevant stakeholders.
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Prolonged viral shedding periods can be a feature of COVID-19 infection, and it is not unusual to detect viral fragments in wastewater for several weeks after known cases are diagnosed.
If COVID-19 viral fragments are detected in wastewater, the next steps depend on whether the detection is consistent with clinical testing results in that area and the current context in Victoria.
This could include increased or extra wastewater testing, and localised public health advice around individual testing and other hygiene and preventive measures.
As case numbers grow, wastewater testing is less useful for the early detection of an initial case and quantitative levels and trends become more useful. The indicated strength of detection relates to the amount of viral fragments in wastewater and broadly indicates the amount of viral shedding from the people within the catchment area. This correlates with the number of active COVID-19 cases in the region, but also includes the people who have recently had COVID-19 but are no longer infectious.
Wastewater results of unexpectedly high strength or with increasing signal over time have led to increased local testing services and public health advice around individual testing and other COVIDSafe hygiene and preventative measures.
In localised facility settings, wastewater monitoring can be used both for early detection and an adjunct to outbreak management. Once 14 days have elapsed since the last detection or facility exposure and no new cases have been diagnosed, a positive wastewater result indicates an undiagnosed infectious person or ongoing transmission.
Recurrent low-level detections can be the result of one or more people continuing to shed the virus.
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Viral fragments in wastewater can be due to an active infectious case but it can also be due to someone who has had COVID-19 continuing to 'shed' the virus. While they may not be considered infectious, it can take several weeks for someone to stop shedding the virus. The person or people shedding the virus may be local or visiting the area. Persons shedding the virus may or may not have or have had symptoms.
No matter where you are in Victoria, it is important that anyone with any symptoms of COVID-19, no matter how mild, gets tested. For more information on symptoms, see the Getting tested page.
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The current COVID-19 vaccines do not result in viral shedding and cannot be detected as viral fragments in wastewater. However, vaccinated people may still become infected and shed viral fragments, with or without symptoms. Victoria's Wastewater Surveillance Program only detects viral fragments from people with current or recent infections.
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Poliovirus, norovirus and adenovirus are routinely monitored in wastewater around the world.
Many countries are now using wastewater monitoring as part of their COVID-19 responses. Early in the pandemic, Victoria started working with other Australian states and territories and New Zealand in a research collaboration, led by Water Research Australia, called the ColloSSoS project (the Collaboration on Sewage Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2). The European Union has a similar active wastewater surveillance collaboration. Other countries using wastewater surveillance include Israel, Canada, the Netherlands, Turkey and the USA.
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Wastewater testing is an additional and complementary tool to monitor the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 at a population level. We use this information alongside individual clinical testing, case and vaccine information and other health data in COVID-19 response.
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The Victorian Department of Health is conducting localised wastewater surveillance testing of industries at high risk of COVID-19 exposure. Localised wastewater surveillance is a critical layer of protection against COVID-19. It is designed to minimise the operational impact on businesses and minimise testing burden on workers, while protecting Victoria’s food supply chain and construction industries. It complements other COVIDSafe principles and COVIDSafe plans.
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Wastewater samples used for testing are taken at the influent (or entry pipe) to wastewater treatment plants, within the sewer network or at a localised building level.
Wastewater is treated to kill a wide variety of microorganisms, including viruses, before it is returned to the environment.
There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread via recycled water nor via treated wastewater released to waterways.
To find out more, read the Hygiene, water and sanitation for COVID-19 .
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There is no impact on your local water supply from wastewater testing. Drinking water supplied by water utilities is safe to drink and for normal household uses.
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The Department of Health is overseeing the Victorian Wastewater Surveillance Program. Victorian water utilities collect the samples and laboratory partners (Australian Laboratory Services, Monash University and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute) analyse the samples.
Victoria joined the ColoSSoS research collaboration early in the pandemic. Coordinated by Water Research Australia, the project brought together health departments, water utilities, laboratories and researchers from Australia and New Zealand to share advances in this rapidly-evolving field. Active national and global exchange is ongoing.
Other laboratories and researchers involved in developing wastewater sampling and testing methods include Monash University, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne Water, Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory, SA Water and Sydney Water.
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Data presented in this interactive report is updated at least weekly. It is the most accurate data available to the Department of Health at the time of publication.
It can take up to two working days from when a sample is taken to receiving laboratory test results. Sometimes additional testing is undertaken to determine if specific viral mutations are present consistent with Omicron, Delta or other variants of concern. This can take up to three further working days, depending on the test required.
Further information
You can read more in the factsheet:
Reviewed 21 October 2022