by Karen Telleen-Lawton, Noozhawk Columnist (read the original in Noozhawk by clicking here)
“Dilution is the solution to pollution.”
I first encountered this quip in a water policy economics class at CU Boulder. I didn’t like the term, since my preferred response to polluting air, water, or soil is more akin to form first lady Nancy Reagan’s “just say no.”
Nevertheless, dilution provided an explanation for the complex equations showing how much we could taint a waterway and still provide a resource that supported fish and people. What’s in your water?
The CDC assures us the U.S. has one of the safest and most reliable drinking water systems in the world. Responsible for sustaining that truth is the EPA, which tests over 90 chemicals and microbes, flagging prohibited levels of bacteria, viruses, pesticides, petroleum products, strong acids, and some metals. There are some gaping exceptions to this, such as agricultural runoff, but that’s another story.
Water quality, health, and environmental experts are increasingly concerned about pharmaceuticals in the water stream. The EPA has found drugs, especially anti-hypertensive medications, in every sample it tests, but at ratios that suggest, “Risks to healthy human adults from exposure to ambient water and drinking water are low.”
Perfume, cologne, skin lotions and sunscreens also wash off people’s skin and contaminate water. According to a Harvard analysis, there is no evidence yet that pharmaceuticals or personal care products harm humans. Studies have shown substantial adverse effects on aquatic life, but that’s another story.
On the South Coast, we’re regrettably familiar with water quantity problems: drought punctuated with an occasional flood. The area water agencies also grapple with how to provide high-quality water in the future. The city has identified potable reuse as a feasible new water source for city water supplies for the future. Potable reuse is the process of using advanced-treated wastewater for drinking water.
Current potable reuse in California supplies over 200 million gallons of drinking water.
Organizations like Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, Heal the Ocean, and Surfrider care deeply about water quality issues. Channelkeeper believes “Recyling wastewater for reuse as potable water is critical to a sustainable water future for our region.” The website applauds the city for beginning the complex and long-term planning required to make potable reuse a reality. It likely will take a couple of decades.
Meanwhile, the ball is in our court as consumers. A 2007 California study suggested about half of all medications are discarded. Consumers are responsible for a “hefty percentage” of drugs and personal care products in lakes, rivers and streams, according to the Harvard analysis.
Chemicals can also get into the water through the septic and sewer systems, as our bodies metabolize the drugs we use.
The EPA’s current plan is a four-pronged approach for consumers.
1. Don’t buy drugs in bulk.
2. Don’t flush unused meds or pour them down the drain.
3. Drop off unused medications at take-back sites to keep them out of the water and prevent their diversion for illegal purposes.
4. If you trash unused meds, remove the packaging and seal them in a plastic bag with some water plus an unappealing compound like coffee grounds or cat litter.
Santa Barbara passed a Safe Drug Disposal ordinance in 2016, requiring manufacturers of drugs offered in the county to participate in an approved drug stewardship program for collection and disposal of unwanted medications. In a quick web search, I found numerous drop-off sites, including many sheriff and police stations, hospitals, and some pharmacies such as CVS and RiteAid.
Dilution has taken us thus far, but it is not a viable long-term solution. We can work to avoid future regulations by individually taking responsible actions now.
Karen Telleen-Lawton, Noozhawk Columnist
Karen Telleen-Lawton is an eco-writer, sharing information and insights about economics and ecology, finances and the environment. Having recently retired from financial planning and advising, she spends more time exploring the outdoors — and reading and writing about it. The opinions expressed are her own.