pharmaceuticals - utilities

Public Works - Utilities Division

Pharmaceutical and trace compounds in water:
Proper disposal information

What's New:

City collects more than 1000-pounds of unwanted medications

Residents unloaded more than 1000-pounds of expired, excess or unwanted medications at the city-sponsored Pharmaceutical Drop-Off Day on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Boulder Community Hospital.  The event provided a local, convenient and safe place for residents to dispose of medications while also educating them about the potential environmental impacts of improper disposal.

Stay Tuned to this Web site for future Phamaceutical Drop-Off Days!

In light of emerging information about trace amounts of pharmaceuticals found in water supplies across the country, the City of Boulder Utilities Division would like to provide residents with water information, recommended pharmaceutical disposal practices and upcoming city programs:

The City of Boulder Utilities Division owns and operates two water treatment plants. The federal Safe Water Drinking Act (SDWA) requires that water monitoring be performed at these plants as well as various other sample locations. The city monitors the quality of treated water for many constituents, as required under SDWA, but currently does not test for pharmaceuticals as it is not required nor has the city been identified for having any significant risk or vulnerability.

We all play a part!
The responsibility for clean water rests with everyone. What you put back into Boulder Creek has a substantial effect on water quality. Here are a few tips on how to safely dispose of over-the-counter and prescription medications. Your action will help keep water supplies clean.

Don't let water quality "go down the drain."
NEWS FLASH! There was a time when doctors and pharmacies directed patients to flush unused, outdated or unwanted prescription/over-the counter drugs down the toilet or wash them down the sink...those times have changed!

Municipal wastewater treatment plants are not designed to treat water for prescription drugs and/or over-the counter medications and cannot remove most of the chemicals and compounds in medications that are being released directly into our waterways. As such, residents must dispose of the medication in a different way to ensure our streams, lakes and rivers stay viable and healthy.

Here are some easy steps to follow provided by Partnership for a Clean Environment (PACE):

1. Talk To Your Pharmacist. Research shows that pharmacists are one of the most accessible healthcare professionals. As the medication experts on the healthcare team, pharmacists are available to guide you on how to properly dispose of your unused medications.

• Do not purchase more medication than you need.
• Ask your pharmacist if they will allow you to return unused medications. If so, ensure that the pharmacy properly disposes of excess medications and does not flush them down a drain.

2. DO NOT FLUSH OR WASH DOWN THE DRAIN unused medications. Recent environmental impact studies report that this could be having an adverse impact on waterWAYS, the environment, fish and aquatic life.

To properly dispose of medications yourself:

• Liquid medications should be poured over kitty litter or some other absorbent material. Once the absorbent is dry, seal it in a plastic bag and place it in the trash.
• Pills should be kept in their original containers. Fill the container with household glue, remove all personal information from the container, and place it in the trash once the glue has dried.
• Patches can be cut into small strips and either placed in a container with glue as described above, or mixed with an unpleasant substance like used coffee grounds or kitty litter.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 20 October 2009 14:58