U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Public Water Supplies US Conference of Mayors: Mayors Water Council & Sustainable Development Task Force January 19, 2009 Herb Buxton USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program

2 DrugsDrugs DetergentsDetergents AntioxidantsAntioxidants Fire retardantsFire retardants DisinfectantsDisinfectants FumigantsFumigants FragrancesFragrances Insecticides/ RepellantsInsecticides/ Repellants Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) Chemicals that co-occur and have similar MOA Biogenic Hormones Biogenic Hormones Pesticides Pesticides Industrial Chemicals Industrial Chemicals Some Metals Some Metals Natural hormones Natural hormones Natural antimicrobials Natural antimicrobials Degradation byproducts Degradation byproducts

3 USGS Questions What contaminants have been found in public drinking water in the US? What contaminants have been found in public drinking water in the US? Where have they been found? Where have they been found? What levels have been detected? What levels have been detected? Do we have data on trends in terms of geography and levels? Do we have data on trends in terms of geography and levels?

4 Results of National Stream & Groundwater Surveys  Present in water at sub-ppb conc.’s.  Present in mixtures.  Greater levels in streams than wells Are PPCP’s entering our environment? Kolpin, et al., 2002; Barnes et al., 2008 Pre. drugs Detergents

5 PPCPs in Source Waters Percent Detection Surface Water Ground Water Focazio et al., 2008 Explanation + GW (25) SW (49) National Source Water Survey

6 Natural Dilution and Degradation Source Waters (Streams) Susceptible Streams Percent Detection Focazio et al., 2008 National Source Water Survey

7 Removal in Treatment, NJ Facility Stackelberg et al., 2004 & 2007 Raw Water Percent Detection HHCB AHTN Levels Generally Reduced by Treatment with GAC Filters Finished Water Percent Detection HHCB Pharmaceutical/Antibiotic Flame retardant/Plasticizer Fragrance Pesticide Plant/Animal steroid Detergent metabolite PAHs Others

8 Benotti et al PPCPs in Finished Drinking Water Conducted by Southern Nevada Water Authority Supported by AWWA Research Fnd. & WateReuse Fnd. Pharm’s PCPs Max. (ppt) *12 of 20 Pharm’s not detected Detections 18 DW Facilities

9 Finished Drinking Water Survey: 2007-Present, USEPA & USGS Varied locations across the Nation. Varied locations across the Nation. Paired source/finished water samples. Paired source/finished water samples. Varied treatment types. Varied treatment types. Significant QA/QC to ensure reliability Significant QA/QC to ensure reliability Working with water suppliers Working with water suppliers

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