Primary Department: Public Health Services
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton ─ Executive Director
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Interlocal Agreement
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Memorial Hills Utility District
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request for approval of an interlocal agreement with Memorial Hills Utility District to exchange wastewater surveillance data and all related appurtenances for the wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) program.
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Background and Discussion:
The purpose of this agreement is to discuss each Party’s role for the coordination of the wastewater testing, analysis, and subsequent exchange of information between the parties through the WBE program, a program developed by Harris County Public Health designed to test and analyze wastewater data. This will allow our program the opportunity to expand surveillance coverage, streamline operations through standardized protocols, and train staff in advanced analytical methods. These efforts will ensure our team is well-equipped to respond to emerging public health threats effectively.
Expected Impact:
Installing wastewater samplers enables wastewater surveillance to function as an early detection system for potential outbreaks or surges in communities. When paired with clinical case data, this approach provides public health officials with better insights to implement necessary strategies, improving public health intervention and mitigating the spread of disease.
Alternative Options:
There are no alternative options that we are aware of at this moment.
CountyStrategic Plan Goal: 4. Improve physical and mental health outcomes across all communities.
County Strategic Plan Objective: N: Improve the health behaviors of community members.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): Choose an item.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
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Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: April 16, 2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): April 16, 2026
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Jennifer Kiger, MPH, Director, Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance and Emerging Diseases, Public Health Services
Attachments (if applicable): Interlocal Agreement