Improving COVID-19 prevention through wastewater testing in a Tribal community

Strengthening COVID-19 prevention strategies via wastewater surveillance in a Northern Plains Tribe

NIH-funded research Black Hills Ctr/american Indian Health · NIH-10927363

This study is testing a new way to help prevent COVID-19 by checking wastewater for the virus in 15 communities of a Northern Plains Tribe, making it easier to keep everyone safe, especially in remote areas.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBlack Hills Ctr/american Indian Health NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Rapid City, United States)
Project IDNIH-10927363 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to enhance COVID-19 prevention strategies by implementing a wastewater testing program across 15 communities within a Northern Plains Tribe. The project will focus on detecting viral contaminants, including SARS-CoV-2, through bulk wastewater analysis, which is particularly beneficial in remote areas with limited resources. A collaborative team of Native investigators will work closely with the community to design and evaluate the effectiveness of this testing program, ensuring it aligns with local needs and existing COVID-19 surveillance efforts.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include members of the Northern Plains Tribe living in the 15 communities involved in the wastewater testing program.

Not a fit: Patients not residing in the targeted Tribal communities or those not engaged in the wastewater testing initiative may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective monitoring and prevention of COVID-19 and other viral outbreaks in Tribal communities.

How similar studies have performed: While wastewater surveillance has been explored in various settings, this specific approach tailored to a Tribal community is relatively novel and untested.

Where this research is happening

Rapid City, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.