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.

收集系统调查微生物源追踪 (CSI-MST) 是一种新颖、灵敏的方法，用于使用分子标记识别下水道基础设施缺陷。该方法需要详细了解收集和输送系统基础设施，并快速转变分子数据，以建议采用自适应、有针对性的管道内方法来检测缺陷。在这里，我们解释了 CSI-MST 方法，并提供了几个案例研究示例，说明如何将该方法适应不同规模的流域，以识别潜在的下水道基础设施问题。这种方法已用于定位和确认弗吉尼亚州东南部地区众多所需基础设施维修的修复情况。这里介绍的选定案例研究作为概念证明——其他公用事业和市政当局可以采用这种方法来解决不同地区必要的废水基础设施维修问题。