The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) plans to lead the integration of wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) into the infectious disease surveillance system at EU and EEA level. This approach is intended to serve as a complementary tool for the early detection and monitoring of the spread of infectious pathogens in the population. ECDC wants to ensure strategic and scientific coordination of wastewater data consolidation, which will improve the ability to respond to outbreaks and asymptomatic disease. Wastewater surveillance enables the presence of pathogens that can spread through water and food, such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and viruses, to be monitored. The integration of WBS into existing surveillance systems will contribute to a better understanding of epidemiological trends and more effective prevention of infectious diseases in Europe. The move is part of ECDC's efforts to strengthen public health through innovative and science-based monitoring methods.