Real-time estimation of small-area populations with human biomarkers in sewage

► New concept proposed for estimating small-area human populations. ► Sewage Chemical-Information Mining (SCIM) measures biomarkers in sewage. ► Real-time estimation of populations (accommodating influx and efflux) is possible. ► Coprostanol is identified as a candidate biomarker for estimating population size. ► Composite biomarkers having complementary properties could improve accuracy.