Displaying items by tag: Prescription Drugs in Water

Pinellas County (March 2009) - Side effects: it’s a medicated world we live in, and we’ve learned that there are always side effects associated with medications. One of the side effects you can control is the amount that ends up in Florida’s waterways. Pinellas County Utilities reminds citizens that medication, prescription as well as over-the-counter, should never be poured down the drain or flushed in the toilet.

Pinellas County Utilities routinely tests for microbiological and radiological contaminants, inorganic contaminants such as arsenic and other substances in our drinking water, but your help is needed to reduce the level of pharmaceutical waste being introduced into wastewater systems. Wastewater treatment systems, including septic tanks, are not designed to remove pharmaceuticals and research has shown that these substances can harm our aquatic environments. We can reduce that risk by properly disposing of unwanted medications.