Drugs found in drinking water

[ponto]

A probe has found that drinking water for at least 41 million Americans contains a vast array of pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones.

Drugs have been detected in the drinking water supplies of Louisville, Kentucky, according to the probe made public on Sunday.

"The presence of so many prescription drugs - and over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen - in so much of our drinking water is heightening worries among scientists of long-term consequences to human health," said the probe conducted by the Associated Press.

Water providers rarely disclose results of pharmaceutical screenings, unless pressed, the probe found.

Can you say Ohio River?

[maysvillebulldog]

This is scary stuff!

[Chuck]

We had a similar chat here last year and we were all supprised at what they don't check for in our water.

[Brian K Beckett]

How does it get in the water????

[Chuck]

How does it get in the water????

The biggest way is flushing old medicines down the cameoed. The water is treated then sent back in to the cycle. Medicines and most chemicals are not treated for.

[littlehagg]

From our own excretions, to the sanitary sewer systems, to the wastewater treatment plants (now called reclamation facilities), through the effluent lines from the plants, to the streams and rivers, and into the water treatment plants' intakes. Not sure if anyone knows how to filter it all out.

[kdown]

From The Ledg Notes On News

So how are all these drugs getting in the water in the first place? Some fraction of every dose a person takes passes through unmetabolized and is evacuated by the body and flushed into sewage systems. Sewage treatment plants are meant to remove the more familiar kinds of pollutants, and typically do not remove pharmaceuticals from waste water as it is cleaned up and released back into the environment, eventually to find its way into other water supply systems. In some places, treated sewage water is reused directly for drinking water after several filtration processes to make it safe, although none of the systems in wide use effectively remove pharmaceuticals.

[Bengals_Mama]

What if your water company gets the drinking water from wells? I know for a fact that Adams County, Brown County, & Ripley water are all safe to drink because my son & his buddy just went all the way to County & won for their Science Project. They tested all 3 companies water. They did NOT check for drugs though... maybe they should have... Anyone know if this is just a problem for the companies who get their water from the river, or would it be for the wells too?

You're right, it's pretty scary.. and disturbing. The study said that fish were growing the opposite sex organs too, from the hormone drugs.

[Brian K Beckett]

And to think the F.D.A. and health departments are more concerened with my smoking and what I eat but no major red flags have been thrown about drugs in treated water???

[ponto]

Two U.S. senators said they plan to hold hearings to investigate the presence of pharmaceuticals in the drinking water supplies.

Did you know we have a (take a deep breath and say) Transportation, Safety, Infrastructure Security and Water Quality Subcommittee in Washington?

Your tax dollars at work.

[jdshep15]

The biggest way is flushing old medicines down the cameoed. The water is treated then sent back in to the cycle. Medicines and most chemicals are not treated for.


It is now recommended that medications not be disposed of by flushing them down the commode. The proper way to dispose of old medications is to crush and put them in kitty litter in a plastic bag. Add water and throw in the trash. This helps prevent direct contamination of our water supply.

[Chuck]

All I can say is the next time you hear someone say "It must be something in the water" you will know they are right.

Things that make you go, Hmmm.

[ponto]

The proper way to dispose of old medications is to crush and put them in kitty litter

Someone in the kitty liter business must have thought of that.

How long before the government makes it mandatory for everyone to have a one year supply of kitty liter.

Let's see, smoke detectors, seat belts, fire safe cigs, catalytic converters, tamper proof lids, warning labels, insurance, ect...........

[Maxwells]

All I can say is the next time you hear someone say "It must be something in the water" you will know they are right.

Things that make you go, Hmmm.

Yeah..Chuck..isn't that the truth.

[SilverFox]

Where I live the water had a yellow tinge for a few weeks and when I called the Utility office they said someone had put too much of one ingredient in the water, but it was safe. Well, I don't know about you, but I am not drinking tinged water. I always keep bottled water and now give it to my cat also. The water has since cleared up.

[Bengals_Mama]

I wouldn't drink funny looking water either. The only thing is, the bottled water is almost always tap water too. It's probably safe as long as it's not from another country. Other countries do not have to regulate their water supplies... plus you need to make sure you're getting flouride.