Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Product (PPCP) residuals in our water is a somewhat new concern. Waste water treatment systems aren't designed to handle these and many other types of contaminants. The American Chemical Society (ACS) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) have begun to monitor these residuals, referred to Organic Wastewater Contaminates (OWA). Click here to Read their report. The full article is also available.

Read EPA's position on PPCPs

OWA contaminants are pharmaceuticals (human and animal), many household chemicals, hormones (human and animal), pesticides, oil, antifreeze, etc.

Proper disposal demo

Don't dispose of any of these unneeded or unused personal products by flushing them down the toilet. If possible, use them up or give them to someone who will use them.  Take unused Rx to your HHW collection center, save them for later use or return them to your pharmacy or manufacturer. Learn what to do and what not to do: smarxtdisposal.net

Nationally, take back programs for Rx are few, to date. A little push from the media and grass roots groups will most likely add these to items brought to HHW collections, etc.