Laboratory Testing Services for the National Wastewater Surveillance Programme

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) intends to enter into a three-year arrangement with University College Dublin, School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science (UCD SBBS), for the provision of laboratory testing services including transport of samples for the National Wastewater Surveillance Programme (NWSP) until 31 December 2029. The NWSP was established in 2021 following endorsement by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) as a national wastewater surveillance system to support public health protection through the monitoring of pathogens and emerging biological threats at population level. The programme is delivered through a partnership involving HPSC, Uisce Éireann, UCD National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL) and UCD SBBS.

The NWSP provides an early warning system for infectious diseases by monitoring wastewater treatment plants throughout Ireland. Current programme activities include weekly testing for SARS-CoV-2 viral load from 30 wastewater treatment plants and testing for poliovirus types 1, 2 and 3, influenza A and B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A and B from selected sites. The programme also supports downstream whole genome sequencing activities undertaken by NVRL and contributes to national and international public health surveillance initiatives.

The scope of the programme is expected to expand in response to the Recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (EU) 2024/3019, which requires Member States to establish coordinated wastewater monitoring systems for public health parameters such as SARS-CoV-2, poliovirus, influenza, emerging pathogens as well as mandatory surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Future requirements may include additional pathogen testing and will include bacterial culture analysis, AMR gene monitoring, and enhanced reporting obligations.

The proposed arrangement will provide laboratory testing, analysis, reporting, maintenance of programme-specific methodologies and continued support for national wastewater surveillance activities. The arrangement will ensure continuity of a critical public health programme while supporting Ireland's preparedness for future public health threats and compliance with emerging European requirements.

The arrangement will also include the distribution of wastewater samples from designated wastewater treatment plants which will require UCD to secure transport services under a public tendering process.
HPSC intends to award the contract to University College Dublin in accordance with Article 32(2)(b)(ii) of Directive 2014/24/EU. No contract shall be awarded to UCD in respect of these services until a period of fourteen (14) days has elapsed, commencing on day following the publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).