Is Our
Water Safe?
Facts about Pharmaceuticals in the Water Supply
SMWD’s water supplies remain safe for drinking,
meeting federal and state standards. So what are the facts behind
recent reports of pharmaceuticals in the water?
 Background
The Associated Press and several local news outlets have
recently reported results from a 2006 survey of source and treated
water at the Metropolitan Water District’s (MWD) Joseph Jensen
Water Treatment Plant in the San Fernando Valley, conducted as part
of an American Water Works Association Research Foundation/California
Urban Water Agencies study. The survey revealed the presence of
trace amounts (in the parts-per-trillion range) of nine different
pharmaceuticals, two human steroids, one personal care product and
two pesticides in the untreated water entering the Jensen plant.
SMWD receives all of its drinking water from a
different MWD water treatment plant, so it is not known if similar
testing would result in similar findings in our drinking water.
Despite these findings, however, supplies continue to meet or exceed
all safe drinking water standards.
Emerging technologies have only recently allowed
the detection of water contaminates at such low levels, and our
supplier, MWD, will continue to work with the EPA to pursue new
treatment and removal technologies as necessary to protect water
quality.
You can help! Please read on …
SMWD water is safe to drink
- SMWD has one of the
safest drinking water supplies in the world. All drinking water
delivered to our customers meets or exceeds regulatory safe drinking
water standards.
- SMWD and MWD are committed to protecting public
health. Together, we will continue to work with the EPA, government
organizations and private companies protect water quality and
improve treatment methods.
The problem is being addressed
- Even though water supplies are still safe,
the Environmental Protection Agency is using a five-pronged approach
to assess emerging contaminants like those reported on in the
recent media stories. They are:
- Identifying available information on occurrence and potential
risks to health;
- Conducting studies to fill data gaps;
- Taking regulatory or other action where appropriate;
- Promoting pollution prevention as a way to reduce the introduction
of pharmaceutical and other pollutants into our water; and
- Working with research partners to develop improved testing
methods and determine what treatment technologies are most
effective.
What you can do
- The toilet is not a trash can. Unused drugs
should not be flushed. They can be discarded in an environmentally
responsible manner. Along with other hazardous waste items, such
as paints and insecticides, dispose of unused or expired medications
at the local hazardous waste collection center. This will ensure
that the medications will not enter local water sources.
- Ask your local pharmacists if they dispose
of unused or expired medications. Oftentimes, pharmacies will
dispose of your unused medications free of charge.
Learn more
To read more about SMWD’s water
quality practices and proper pharmaceutical disposal, click on the
links below.
No
Drugs Down The Drain
Office
of National Drug Control Policy – Proper Disposal of
Prescription Drugs
March
2006 On Tap – Quality You Can Count On
March
2007 On Tap – Say No To Drugs: How To Properly Dispose
of Pharmaceuticals
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