Collection system investigation microbial source tracking (CSI-MST): Applying molecular markers to identify sewer infrastructure failures

Collection System Investigation Microbial Source Tracking (CSI-MST) is a novel, sensitive approach for identifying sewer infrastructure deficiencies using molecular markers. This method requires both a detailed understanding of collection and conveyance system infrastructure and quickly turned around molecular data to advise an adaptive, targeted in-pipe approach to detect deficiencies. Here we explain the CSI-MST approach and provide several case study examples of how this approach can be adapted to different scale watersheds to identify potential sewer infrastructure issues. This approach has been used to locate and confirm the remediation of numerous needed infrastructure repairs in the southeastern Virginia region. The selected case studies presented here serve as a proof of concept—this methodology can be adopted by other utilities and municipalities to address necessary wastewater infrastructure repairs in different regions.