- Wastewater facilities, engineers, epidemiologists, and labs are collaborating to monitor the spread of the COVID-19 virus and its variants by testing the wastewater in certain cities. The Omicron variant has been detected in the wastewater in Houston, Boulder, and Northern California so far. “Wastewater surveillance is a way to make up for deficiencies in other forms of testing. The data it captures includes people who are infected but don't have symptoms or don't get tested, as well as people taking at-home rapid tests, as they become increasingly available.”
- Houston has detected the Omicron variant in eight of its wastewater treatment facilities, and a Harris County resident was the first person in Texas to test positive for the variant last Monday.
- The Texas Public Utility Commission and ERCOT are assuring consumers that the lights will stay on this winter. The PUC has filed violations against eight power generation companies that did not file winter readiness reports, which are required under the new weatherization rules established in October.
- After the Navy found high concentrations of diesel fuel in one of its wells in Oahu, Hawaii health officials have instructed residents living in the Oahu military base not to drink the tap water.
- El Paso Water is reminding residents to not discard FOG (fats, oils, and grease) down any drains because they clog wastewater lines. Compared to last year, EPWater has seen a 38% increase in clogged wastewater pipes due to FOG.