PROJECT SUMMARY – Project 1 Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), a causative agent of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is still a public health concern. The main transmission route of SARS-CoV-2 is person to person through respiratory droplets/aerosols. Recent studies, however, indicate that SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA can be detected in the feces of infected individuals, even after respiratory symptoms have subsided. Wastewater based Epidemiology (WBE) is a powerful and promising tool for community surveillance, but little information is available on how to utilize this inexpensive early warning system for public health action and addressing environmental health disparities. In addition, two vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are approved and are being distributed now in the US. In light of this, the overall goal of this proposal is to determine the effectiveness of vaccination among minority populations and develop and validate predictive models for forecasting COVID-19 using WBE. We will use our expertise in laboratory experiments, mathematical and artificial intelligence (AI) modeling, molecular detection, and field surveys to address these specific aims. Aim 1. To determine if SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging pathogens concentration in wastewater correlates with COVID-19 community transmission in high-risk areas. Aim 2. To develop and validate predictive models for SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence based on detection in wastewater. Aim 2. To foster community engagement in COVID-19 research and dissemination of research findings through WBE.