In March, 2008, the Associated Press (AP) published its findings about the prevalence of pharmaceuticals in drinking water and drinking water sources. These contaminants include endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), pharmaceuticals/personal care products (PPCPs) and are also collectively called Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs).

Sources for the AP investigation included scientific reports, federal databases, environmental study sites, treatment plants and more than 230 interviews. Of the 28 major metropolitan areas where tests were performed on drinking water supplies, only Albuquerque, Austin, and Virginia Beach reported negative results. All other metropolitan areas reported pharmaceuticals in drinking water and drinking water sources. Santa Fe water was not tested in this study.

Many consumers flush pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter medicines, livestock and pet medicines, and personal care products down the toilet or toss them into the trashcan. Other contributors are pharmaceutical industries, hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Since about 90 percent of oral drugs can pass though our bodies unchanged, many of these drugs enter the environment through human and livestock waste. These eventually make their way into private and municipal water supplies.

Advanced technology allows detection and quantification of these compounds down to parts per trillion, but consumers regularly consume or expose themselves to these contaminants at much higher concentrations by prescription medications, foods and beverages. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not have pharmaceuticals listed in its drinking water standards and therefore there are no testing requirements. The (EPA) maintains a list of contaminants under investigation, and its Contamination Candidate list does not currently include any PPCPs.

With the information we have in hand, there is no reason for public panic. Water and wastewater treatment plants in the United States typically do not remove pharmaceuticals, and the AP report further points out that even now the levels being found are usually measured in parts per trillion, below the prescription dosage.

While specific product performance standards have not yet been developed for pharmaceuticals and personal care products, many point-of-use technologies have proven effective for some of these emerging contaminants. The AP reported stimulated research into treatment mechanisms to remove pharmaceutical contamination. In a recent article published in the Journal of The American Water Works Association, testing proved that reverse osmosis (RO) is the most effective means of removing these contaminants. Please see the chart.

The City of Santa Fe's Sangre de Cristo Water Division uses chlorination for water disinfection. Although Santa Fe water easily meets EPA standards for reduction of disinfectants and disinfection by-products (Haloacetic Acids, HAAs; and Total Trihalomethanes; TTHMs), some residents find the odor and taste of chlorine objectionable.

The primary components of hardness are the alkaline salts calcium and magnesium. Dissolved iron and manganese also constitute hardness but typically make up only a very small fraction of total hardness. As water moves through rocks and soils, it dissolves small amounts of naturally-occurring minerals and transports them into the water supply. Hardness is normally considered an aesthetic water quality factor and there is no EPA standard for hardness. See the hardness classification below (Sources: U.S. Geological Survey and Water Quality Association).

Classification	mg/L or ppm	gpg
Soft	0-17.1	0-1
Slightly Hard	17.1-60	1-3.5
Moderately Hard	60-120	3.5-7.0
Hard	120-180	7.0-10.5
Very Hard	180 & over	10.5 & over

mg/L (ppm) / 17.1 = gpg (grains per gallon)

Dissolved mineral material contributes to the taste drinking water. At higher concentrations, hard water leaves white mineral deposits ("scale") on dishes, glasses and flatware, results in soap residue in showers and tubs and reduces the efficiency of electrical appliances and water heaters.

Blue-green staining is common in homes on City water. It is highly misunderstood and has several possible causes. We have considerable experience in diagnosing and treating this concern.

Many residents are generally fearful of highly treated water, particularly with respect to drinking water. Community systems are governed by EPA standards and are closely monitored for compliance. Water quality varies locally and seasonally. Even though, when annualized, community water system contaminants are well within EPA guidelines, levels at times may actually exceed MCLs (Maximum Contamination Levels).

Residents who have this concern generally drink only bottled water, which generates a market for non-degradable plastic and contributes to landfill disposal issues. According to the FDA, there are at least eight types of bottled water according to origin and method of treatment.
www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2002/402_h2o.html

Most bottled water consumed in homes is packaged in small bottles made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), delivered in 5-gallon jugs, or obtained from grocery store outlets in refillable bottles. The predominant method of filtering this water is reverse osmosis. The quality of bottled water is highly variable as the industry is poorly regulated.

It is possible to have POU (point-of-use) reverse osmosis in your home to achieve bottled-water quality and eliminate the use of plastic bottles. Reverse osmosis does use some water to produce quality water, but the same can be said of the water purchased in plastic bottles. With a permeate pump, water rejection is minimal. Reverse osmosis water can be remineralized to improve taste and raise pH. Reverse osmosis is the only way to achieve bottled-water quality in the home. Do not believe claims that filtration systems can duplicate this quality. Demand NSF or WQA certification of contaminant rejection!