Summit County has launched a new public health initiative to better track substance use trends and support overdose prevention efforts.

Using opiate abatement settlement funds, the County and Summit County Public Health (SCPH) are partnering with Biobot Analytics to add wastewater monitoring to existing surveillance tools.

Weekly samples are now being collected at the Akron Water Reclamation Facility. The data will complement information from first responders, hospitals, and community partners to guide coordinated strategies that reduce overdoses and expand access to prevention and recovery services. SCPH expects the wastewater findings to be integrated into its reporting system by the end of December.

“This effort reflects our commitment to using every resource available to protect the health and safety of Summit County residents,” said County Executive Ilene Shapiro. “With opiate abatement funds, we can invest in innovative approaches that strengthen prevention and support recovery.”

Health Commissioner Christopher Barker said the added data will help the county respond more quickly. “Wastewater-based monitoring helps us understand when substance use trends are shifting. That insight allows partners to time outreach, naloxone distribution, and treatment efforts when they’re most needed.”

Wastewater analysis is an emerging, anonymous public health tool already in use in more than 70 communities nationwide with support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The approach provides a reliable, population-level view of drug trends to help local leaders make informed decisions.