California American Water urges Los Angeles residents to
properly dispose of pharmaceutical waste.
West coast water district California
American Water has designated the week of Nov. 9, 2009, as “No Drugs Down the
Drain Week” for its Los Angeles
service area as part of a national campaign sponsored by public and private
agencies to reduce pharmaceutical pollution in source water supplies.
Items like
aspirin, prescription drugs and other medications should never be thrown down
the drain or toilet, the utility says. They can often seep into the ground and
find their way back into the water supply.
According to California
American Water’s Los Angeles district manager
Garry Hofer, water
utilities treat drinking water to ensure it meets or exceeds USEPA standards. “But
the best water treatment is to prevent water pollution at the source,” says Hofer.
“Environmental stewardship can begin right at home through how we use and
dispose of old medicines as well as other hazardous items such as used motor
oil and paint.”
California
American Water’s Los Angeles County residents are encouraged to contact the County of Los Angeles’ Department of Public Works
at 888/253-2652 or visit
www.888cleanla.com
to find out where they can drop off expired or unwanted pharmaceuticals and
other household items free of charge.
Source: California American Water Links
