Grants Will Fund COVID-19 Wastewater Testing

The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department is getting some state money to help test wastewater for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

The $352,721 grant is one of 20 handed out around the state to provide equipment and push forward with pilot programs for wastewater testing. A rise in coronavirus levels in wastewater can presage an increase in symptoms and diagnoses among users of the system. Samples gathered here will be analyzed by Michigan Technological University.

Additional grants in the U.P. have been awarded to Northern Michigan University, Lake Superior State University, and White Water Associates of Amasa, for use in Iron, Dickinson, Delta and Menominee Counties.