HR 766

SEWER Act

Summary

Surveilling Effluent Water for Epidemic Response Act or the SEWER Act This bill provides statutory authority for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) program, which detects and monitors pathogens in wastewater. It requires the CDC to expand and intensify the activities of the NWSS, including with respect to SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), influenza, mpox, dengue, West Nile virus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).  The NWSS provides funding and guidance to public health departments for wastewater surveillance activities. Under the NWSS, health departments and other partners coordinate on wastewater surveillance at sampling sites and share data with the CDC. The NWSS was initially implemented to monitor SARS-CoV-2 and has since expanded to include influenza A, avian influenza A, mpox, and RSV.     

Bill status

Status
In committee
Sponsor
Rep. Robert Garcia [D-CA-42]
Cosponsors
2
Policy area
Health
Introduced
2025-01-28
Latest action
2025-01-28: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Committee referrals

Recent actions

  • 2025-01-28: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • 2025-01-28: Introduced in House
  • 2025-01-28: Introduced in House