The Erie County Department of Health has launched a new tool aimed at tracking substance use in the community.
The Erie County Department of Health said the dashboard uses wastewater testing to track high-risk substances and identify trends before they become larger public health concerns.
Erie County, Union City acquire former chair manufacturing building for redevelopment
The new online dashboard displays data collected from weekly wastewater samples at the City of Erie treatment plant, which serves about 200,000 residents across the county.
The samples are analyzed for substances including fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, opioids, and medications used to treat substance disorders.
Health officials said the data can reveal trends, detect unusual spikes, and help providers prepare for potential increases in overdoses.
City of Erie partners with Change.org for civic input
“Overall, we are seeing an increase in substances, but we also track things such as prescription opioids and substance use disorder drugs, so things like methadone, which are actually treating a substance use disorder,” said Lauren Mathis, an epidemiology research associate at the Erie County Department of Health.
The dashboard includes data dating back to June 2024 and is updated weekly.
County health officials said they hope the tool will support prevention efforts, treatment providers and emergency responders throughout Erie County.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.