A scoping review of the private sector involvement in wastewater and environmental surveillance

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-10-2025

Abstract

Although there is precedent for involving the private sector in public health projects, the best use of private resources and expertise to enhance wastewater surveillance efforts has not been well studied. This review aims to identify the scope and scale of private-sector collaborations in wastewater and environmental surveillance projects, assess their successes, and summarize future opportunities and challenges in private-sector involvement. A limited number of public–private partnership studies (n = 113) were identified. While the roles of private companies in projects extend beyond laboratory analyses, analytical testing by the private sector is primarily focused on biological analyses (e.g., amplified genetic markers), rather than chemical analyses (e.g., molecules that make up chemical compounds or proteins). A comprehensive understanding of how private institutions have operated to date and how they can best leverage their resources and expertise to support future wastewater and environmental surveillance based public health initiatives may provide valuable insights. With 34 countries represented across multiple scientific domains indicating private sector involvement, WES is a global field. This understanding can promote economically and temporally optimized wastewater and environmental surveillance initiatives, enhance policy development, and ultimately promote healthier communities globally.

Original Publication Information

Boyina, K., Holm, R.H., Samarasinghe, H. et al. A scoping review of the private sector involvement in wastewater and environmental surveillance. Discov Water 5, 84 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43832-025-00293-z

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s43832-025-00293-z

ORCID

0000-0001-8849-1390

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