WBE-COVID
AI-based decision support system for the prevention and management of epidemiological emergencies.
Abstract
The "WBE-COVID - a new wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) system to track COVID-19" project consists of the development of an innovative system for monitoring sewage networks and epidemiological surveillance based on wastewater analysis, with particular reference to the detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2. The system will also enable monitoring of the population's health status through the measurement of network parameters and chemical indicators.
Project objectives
- Develop innovative methods and devices for wastewater sampling and analysis.
- Create new sampling and analysis protocols to ensure data referability and replicability.
- Develop a Decision Support System (DSS) for the prevention and management of epidemiological emergencies.
- Monitor sewage networks and assess the health status of the population.
- Integrate A.I. algorithms for data analysis and optimisation of measurement instrument positioning.
Partnership
- Development of intelligent algorithms for the optimal positioning of sensors and samplers in the sewage network, based on dynamic criteria and optimisation methods inspired by quantum mechanics principles.
- Design of low-cost monitoring stations capable of communicating in real time with the central system.
- Implementation of tests for network configuration and verification of sampler and sensor characteristics.
- Development of a Proof of Concept (PoC) of the monitoring network.
- Development of an integrated cloud digital platform with intelligent algorithms and devices for the DSS.
- Generation of new knowledge on the use of AI for the study of large-scale disease spreading.
Source of funding
The project was submitted for funding under the "Third Public Call for the submission of projects under the Interreg V-A Italy-Switzerland 2014-2020 Cooperation Programme", Decree no. 2225 of 23 February 2022.
Expected impacts and results
- Development of an integrated system for epidemiological monitoring through wastewater.
- Definition of replicable and reliable protocols for wastewater sampling and analysis.
- Development of low-cost sensors and monitoring stations communicating in real time.
- Creation of a cloud-based digital DSS for the prevention and management of health emergencies.
- Generation of lasting knowledge on the use of AI in epidemiological surveillance.
- Improvement of the competitiveness of businesses in the cross-border territory.
- Monitoring of the population's health status and detection of large-scale pathologies.
Publication date: 20/05/2022 Last updated: 05/10/2026 14:19