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Wastewater-based surveillance is an effective tool for monitoring the prevalence of infectious diseases circulating in communities. The WastPan project aimed to improve pandemic preparedness through wastewater-based screening. Wastewater contains several pathogens, thus providing an opportunity to monitor the spread of infectious diseases.

The purpose of the MiWaGen project, which started as a collaboration between Tampere University and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), is to develop cost-effective methods for the generation of epidemiological health information and population health research. The ability to monitor the spread of diseases is key for prevention, intervention and control of the outbreaks of diseases. 

A recent study by THL reveals that the quality of domestic water is generally good in Finland. In the study, small amounts of genetic material from bacteria such as bacteria of the legionella genus were detected in domestic water. However, hardly any pathogenic bacteria were detected. The genetic material of bacteria alone does not pose any risk.