Hach begins distribution of rapid COVID wastewater tests

LOVELAND — Hach Co. has begun rolling out a rapid test to measure the presence of the COVID-19 virus in a wastewater stream.

In a statement, the Loveland-based water-testing firm said it partnered with Canadian biologics tester LuminUltra Technologies Ltd. to develop a test that can provide results based on samples pulled from a wastewater stream in as little as 90 minutes rather than wait for an outside lab to measure viral load.

“This non-invasive testing method is a game-changer for effectively managing the pandemic, and this partnership between our two organizations makes this surveillance tool more accessible to communities everywhere,” LuminUltra CEO Pat Whalen said in a statement.

Researchers first suggested in June that the COVID-19 virus can be detected in a person’s waste before the onset of symptoms, meaning testing that material in sewer systems could detect the virus’ presence in a community and give public health experts a better idea of a spike in cases and hospital use yet to come.

Multiple cities in Northern Colorado, the Boulder Valley and the Denver metro are monitoring their wastewater systems to track viral load.

Hach is a wholly-owned subsidiary of medical and environmental conglomerate Danaher Corp. (NYSE: DHR).

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