How does this help contain the disease? Testing a pool of crap?

Yea, probably gives an indication that there is less COVID out there, but that doesn't help contain anything.

Doing it in Austin also. Would hate to be that worker unless paid a buttload of cash

In the thread he mentions comparing the results from the different waste treatment plants to each other to determine which regions may have higher incidences. In theory the city could issue guidance that certain areas have higher chance of infection based on this, etc.

I'm not in favor of closing businesses or anything, by the way. I'd much rather just be informed of what is going on and then let everyone make their own decision. But this kind of data is important to allow people who need extra caution to make those choices for themselves.

Worked summers for a city waste water dept. back in my college days.

Sewage collects in increasing quantities into larger and larger wetwells services by pumps. You can test at various locations and get a more understanding of potential outbreaks at more granular levels.

Doesn't have to be done at at the treatment plant level.