The PREDICT Act creates a new federal funding program to help states, tribes, and local health departments monitor infectious diseases by testing wastewater. Instead of waiting for people to get sick and report to doctors, this program lets public health officials detect disease outbreaks early by analyzing what's in sewage systems—a method that can catch viruses and bacteria before they spread widely.

Here's how it works: The CDC will give grants and contracts to eligible health departments and their partners to set up or improve wastewater testing programs. These organizations need to explain which sewage sites they'll test, how they'll respond to what they find, and how they'll keep the program running after the initial funding ends. The program prioritizes groups that will share their data publicly so communities can compare results and understand disease trends in their area.

The money can be used to build testing capacity, conduct sampling at high-risk locations (especially in rural areas), and implement proven surveillance methods. The CDC will also create standard guidelines so all programs use consistent testing methods and report data the same way, making it easier to track diseases across the country. Additionally, the government will fund research to improve wastewater testing technology and make it more efficient. The program is authorized to receive funding through 2028, with no specific dollar amount set—Congress will decide the actual budget.

PREDICT Act

Booker, Cory A.

Public health Response and Emergency Detection through Integrated wastewater Community Testing Act or the PREDICT ActThis bill provides statutory authority for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Wastewater Surveillance System, which is used to detect and monitor emerging infectious diseases. It also establishes a grant program to support the ability of state, tribal, and local health departments to conduct wastewater sampling and related analysis.&nbsp;