By Meredith Gardner
meredith.gardner@theindependent.com

And more scientific studies will likely have to be conducted before they start monitoring levels of prescription and over-the-counter medications in the system, said Gary Mader, Grand Island utilities director.

According to The Associated Press, traces of pharmaceuticals have been found in the drinking water supplies of 24 major cities across the U.S.

However, many of the nation's communities, including Grand Island, do not test their drinking water supplies for pharmaceuticals at all.

The subject is not one that is flying under the radar of the Grand Island Utilities Department, Mader said.

"We've talked about it. We know that this issue is out there," Mader said.

But before Grand Island and many other cities can test for pharmaceuticals, more research needs to be done on what kinds of contaminants are harmful and at what levels.

"I think we're in the very early stages on the development of the science on this issue," Mader said.

"The fact that they're present, I think, will certainly lead to additional analysis and study."

Mader said he isn't aware of any lab in Nebraska that tests drinking water for the presence of pharmaceuticals.

Currently, Grand Island's drinking water meets all state and federal guidelines for quality, he said.

Also, the Grand Island Utilities Department is not aware of any scientific evidence that shows the presence of low levels of pharmaceuticals in drinking water has caused health problems.

Still, Mader acknowledged that the topic isn't one that should be, or will be, ignored.

"It's one of those things where there is always a concern when these issues arise," he said.

Mader said his department would be keeping up on the issue as more research is done.

Until then, he said, Grand Island residents should make an effort to dispose of their prescription and over-the-counter medications properly.

Pharmaceuticals can enter into waterways after being excreted or disposed of into the wastewater system.

That can create a problem when the treated wastewater is released back into the environment.

"Wastewater treatment plants were not designed to remove pharmaceuticals," Mader said.

Expired or unused medications should be taken to a designated disposal site. They can also be pulverized and mixed in a container with an undesirable substance such as old coffee grounds or cat litter before being thrown away, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

The next collection for prescription and over-the-counter medications will be from 1 to 6 p.m. April 2 at the northwest corner of the Fonner Park parking lot. The collection is being organized by Clean Community System and will be limited to medications.