AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2025-94R, approving a Memorandum of Understanding with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) providing for utility department participation in the DSHS Wastewater Monitoring Program; authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the city; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: May 20, 2025
Department: SMTX Utilities
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: NA
Account Number: NA
Funds Available: NA
Account Name: NA
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: NA
City Council Strategic Initiative: [Please select from the dropdown menu below]
Environmental Protection
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Comprehensive Plan Element (s): [Please select the Plan element(s) and Goal # from dropdown menu below]
☐ Economic Development - Choose an item.
☒ Environment & Resource Protection - Public & Private Sector Partnership to Protect Water Quality & proper development in San Marcos and Blanco Rivers
☐ Land Use - Choose an item.
☐ Neighborhoods & Housing - Choose an item.
☐ Parks, Public Spaces & Facilities - Choose an item.
☐ Transportation - Choose an item.
☒ Core Services
☐ Not Applicable
Master Plan: [Please select the corresponding Master Plan from the dropdown menu below (if applicable)]
Wastewater Master Plan
Background Information:
DSHS Wastewater Monitoring Program Overview
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Wastewater Monitoring Program partners with local health departments and water utilities to monitor pathogens in wastewater and generate high-quality, community-level data that supports public health initiatives across Texas. The program is designed to detect and assess emerging or endemic microorganisms that may pose a risk to public health by analyzing wastewater from defined municipal sewer sheds.
Program Objectives Include:
A. Monitoring wastewater for early detection of disease trends.
B. Establishing microorganism targets based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These targets may be updated as public health priorities evolve.
Current Target Microorganisms:
• Influenza A virus (IAV)
• Influenza B virus (IBV)
• Mpox virus
• Norovirus
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
• SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2)
Participation in the Program is free.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
N/A
Alternatives:
N/A
Recommendation:
Staff Recommends Approval