ABSTRACT
Chapter 6 provides an overview of the key themes of the book, namely how wastewater analysis (WWA) may be useful in estimating the extent of substance use at macro (international), meso (domestic) and micro (local) levels. This chapter looks to the future of WWA by exploring the challenges the field may face if it does not adhere to ethical principles that guide human research. Recent critiques of WWA are discussed, including the perception that WWA provides an Orwellian tool that states can use to spy on citizens and enforce ‘tough on drugs’ law enforcement-focussed policies. The particular ethical risks associated with WWA in countries with poor human rights records are considered. We then discuss special issues related to conducting WWA on a fee-for-service basis, arguing that such work may still constitute ‘research’ that requires human research ethics approval if conducted by academics. The chapter highlights the sorts of problems that are likely to arise from WWA if it is conducted by unqualified researchers (e.g. independent contractors) who do not have access to expertise in sampling, or the analytical methods underpinning WWA laboratory processes. The final section identifies future areas of research – underscoring that, substance use aside, wastewater samples can also be analysed to assess indicators of human disease and environmental pollution.
