Wastewater testing became part of our daily lives during the Covid-19 pandemic, but what else can it tell us about what’s happening in our communities? From looking for illicit drugs, to monitoring alcohol consumption and health biomarkers, Claire Concannon meets scientists tapping into the rich research potential of what’s in our pee.

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Learn more:

• The Detail also did an episode on this topic in 2022, delightfully called ‘Spying on our sewage’
• For more about drugs and alcohol in New Zealand, watch/read/listen to Wasted and Proof
• Our Changing World also covered New Zealand’s world leading approach to Covid-19 sequencing during the pandemic.

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Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details