Wastewater samples in Saskatoon have detected the Omicron variant for the first time.

The latest samples tested by the Global Institute for Water Security (GIWS) at the University of Saskatchewan show Omicron constitutes 32.8 per cent the overall SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the Saskatoon sample.

The GIWS saw 26.2 per cent decrease in evidence of COVID-19 in Saskatoon's wastewater compared to the previous week.

A graph from the Global Institute for Water Security shows the wastewater surveillance data for Saskatoon.

Viral RNA load of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater Dec. 15, City of Saskatoon

For more than a year, the institute has been using wastewater samples taken from treatment plants in Saskatoon, North Battleford and Prince Albert, and testing them for COVID-19.

The samples are used to predict cases of the virus in the future and whether they're expected to increase or decrease.

In Prince Albert's wastewater the viral levels of the disease decreased by 49.2 per cent and in North Battleford it was down 23 per cent.

The Omicron variant was not found in any of the Prince Albert or North Battleford samples.

What is the Omicron variant?

Infectious disease expert Craig Jenne simplifies what the variant is, and what it means for the latest round in our battle against COVID.

Researchers at the University of Regina are also looking&nbsp;for traces of Omicron in the city's wastewater, with the help of the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg.

Sask. wastewater researchers begin search for omicron variant

As countries around the world brace themselves for the arrival of the omicron variant of COVID-19, teams of researchers at the University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina are working on testing for the newly discovered strain.

A look at the UV filtering system used at the City of Saskatoon's wastewater treatment plant.

Saskatoon wastewater treatment plant.

Sask. researchers continue to see downward trends in COVID-19 wastewater testing

The most recent COVID-19 wastewater study from the University of Saskatchewan shows a decrease in the amount of COVID-19 virus in sewage samples taken from Saskatoon, North Battleford and Prince Albert.

The Omicron variant has been found in Saskatoon's wastewater.

COVID-19 levels in wastewater dip in 3 Saskatchewan cities

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