SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Onondaga County is collaborating on a sewage study.

They are sharing their wastewater with scientists at Syracuse University and SUNY-ESF.

The two professors leading the study tell us this can help identify COVID-19 hot-spots before even being tested.

"What we're observing is that the levels in the wastewater predict or precede the cases in the county by a wee. So, we’re seeing a pretty good correlation there and were working with the county to make a public data base," said SU Professor David Larsen.

County Executive Ryan McMahon said he is hoping the study is perfected by the fall, in order to help prevent or predict a second wave of the coronavirus.