Keith Loftin, Michael T. Meyer, Edward T. Furlong, Patrick J. Phillips, Arthur C. Lietz, Melissa Schultz, and Dana W. Kolpin. USGS, Kansas Water Science Center, Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory, 4821 Quail Crest Pl, Lawrence, KS 66049-3839
Pharmaceuticals have been widely detected in surface waters
and groundwaters throughout Europe and the United States.
Studies over the last 15 years have shown that a variety of pharmaceuticals,
hormonally active agents, and household and industrially used organic
wastewater compounds (OWCs) commonly are detected in
wastewater effluents. The increase in water reuse in many U.S. States has also
lead to concern about the accumulation and potential effects of these compounds . In a recent study by the U.S. Geological Survey,
antibiotics from several classes were found in wastewater effluents from six
wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in five States.
Multiple samplings of the influent and effluent from a WWTP showed that many
pharmaceuticals and other wastewater contaminants are only partially removed
and need to be considered when contemplating subsequent water reuse
applications. Another limited study indicated that there was a higher frequency
of occurrence of OWCs in effluent from a trickling
filter plant than was found in effluent from an activated sludge plant. Data
from these and other studies show that many WWTP effluents used for water reuse
applications likely will contain a variety of OWCs. A
study of the application of reclaimed water used to irrigate municipal
properties showed that a variety of pharmaceuticals are transported and
accumulate in the soil profile. Thus, OWCs may be
available for transport to surface and groundwater following their introduction
to the land surface via water reuse applications.