Drugs in Our Water

The Great Lakes contain over 95% of all surface freshwater in the US.

Most of us in the Great Lakes states live within a short drive to one of the Great Lakes and usually within walking distance to a nearby stream, river or inland lake.

Our water is abundant, cleaner than it was years ago but not as pure as it could be.

Wherever we are in the Great Lakes region, the emerging issue of trace amounts of pharmaceutical compounds showing up in our surface, ground water and municipal water systems affects us.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), studies throughout the US have revealed the presence of trace amounts of pharmaceutical compounds in surface and ground water. Pharmaceutical contamination of water has a negative impact on the aquatic ecosystem including fish, birds and other wildlife.

A US Geological Survey study concluded that 80% of streams sampled contained detectable levels of compounds found in common medications.

According to state environmental regulatory agencies wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove or process many compounds found in medications that end up being discharged into our surface and ground water.

Even if you live in a more remote area, you are not immune to potential problems. Your drinking water may be affected. Many medications including antibiotics, can destroy the beneficial bacteria necessary for a septic system to operate properly.

We should be leading the way in promoting comprehensive solutions to collecting and properly disposing of unused/expired drugs so to keep them out of our water. Together we can!

Please JOIN US in the safe disposal of drugs by taking them to a collection site like Yellow Jug Old Drugs ®.