This study aimed to assess the feasibility of a participatory experiment involving residents of a Paris district, in which their dietary habits were monitored through the analysis of chemicals in wastewater.
Unlike conventional sociological metrics, wastewater can be used to monitor the behavior of the entire population, regardless their participation, with an almost 100% response rate. The results revealed changes in the chemistry of wastewater during the experimental week, when residents were encouraged to consume “more fruits and vegetables”. A key challenge lies in understanding the possible influence of confounding factors that could affect the chemical dynamics and thus impact the results. These factors were also evaluated. For the first time, wastewater has demonstrated its potential as a monitoring medium for participatory experiments addressing issues of diet and health, which are critical components in shaping the trajectory of sustainable urban living for the future.
Reference: Thiebault, T. , Carré, C., Bernier-Turpin, G., Asselin, C., Barfuss, A.F.,Caud, N., Jacob, J. (2025). Using Wastewater to Monitor Suggested Changes in Dietary Intake: A Participatory Experiment. Journal of Urban Health, In press, ⟨10.1007/s11524-025-00992-x⟩. ⟨insu-05187583⟩