II Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water
According to the Ground Water and Drinking Water section of EPA’s website — National Ground Water Awareness Week, was March 9-15, 2008 – ironically the same week that this report came to light.
From the EPA’s website on 3/11/2008:
In the news . . .
Prescription Drugs in Drinking Water... Studies have shown that pharmaceuticals are present in some of our nation's waterbodies. Further research suggests that there may be some ecological harm when certain drugs are present. To date, no evidence has been found of human health effects from pharmaceutical and personal care products in the environment. This includes drinking water sources.
For more information on Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) including frequent questions and and PPCP Research Areas, Visit the PPCP area of the site >
The Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW), together with states, tribes, and its many partners, protects public health by ensuring safe drinking water and protecting ground water. OGWDW, along with EPA's ten regional drinking water programs, oversees implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act, which is the national law safeguarding tap water in America. Go to the site >
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the main federal law that ensures the quality of Americans' drinking water. Under SDWA, EPA sets standards for drinking water quality and oversees the states, localities, and water suppliers who implement those standards.
SDWA authorizes the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) to set national health-based standards for drinking water to protect against both naturally-occurring and man-made contaminants that may be found in drinking water. US EPA, states, and water systems then work together to make sure that these standards are met. For more information and Fact Sheets, Go to the site >
What do you do with unused prescription drugs?
It seems the only ones that should now be flushed are of a narcotic nature.
See these guidelines >
What should you do?: Educate yourself >
