The Negative Impact of PPCPs in Drinking Water

As a homeowner, you want to only provide your family with water that is clean, healthy and safe to consume. Despite water treatment centers, there can still be contaminants that you encounter through private well water or contaminants picked up on the way from the facility to your home. PPCPs in drinking water are a big problem, and they pose a danger to many families and homeowners throughout the country.

What Are PPCPs in Drinking Water?

The Environmental Protection Agency defines pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) as products that are used for cosmetic or personal health reasons, as well as products that are used by agricultural businesses to promote the health or growth of livestock. Because the definition is so comprehensive, it can cover thousands of compounds that are present throughout our environments and daily lives including over-the-counter drugs, cosmetics, fragrances, make-up, shampoos and more. There has been shockingly little research done on PPCPs in drinking water and whether or not some of them pose a risk to ecosystems or human health.

What Are Some of the Most Common PPCPs Found in Drinking Water?

• Caffeine
• Ibuprofen
• Carbamazepine
• Gemfribrozil
• Naproxen
• Sulfamethoxazole
• Triclosan
• Estrogens

Because these can be found in so many different sources, some communities can have difficulty finding the primary sources of them. Studies have found that sewage treatment plants and large agricultural operations with livestock generate a great deal of PPCPs.

How Can PPCPs in Drinking Water Impact Our Health?

Research is not extensive yet, but these contaminants could lead to health concerns. Researchers have found evidence that PPCPs in drinking water are causing environmental concerns, however. One of the most shocking changes has occurred in male fish. Their sex organs have been influenced by endocrine-disrupting chemicals present in the water supply as a result of prescription medications, supplements and other substances. Other animals have shown changes in their immune function, thinning of shells when laying eggs and more. As a homeowner, you never want to risk your family being exposed to dangerous chemicals and residual medications in water at your home.

What Can You Do?

There are several tips that the federal government has offered to reduce PPCPs in drinking water that can be used in conjunction with testing and filtration solutions from Hague Quality Water of Maryland.

• Always dispose of expired, unused or unneeded prescription and over the counter medication by removing it from the original container and placing it in the trash. If your community has a drug throwaway event, you can also bring medications there to be disposed of properly.
• Never flush prescription medication down the toilet or sink unless the information you were given with the prescription specifically says to do so. This increases the levels of PPCPs in drinking water, so it’s important to avoid doing so.
• Whenever possible, mix your prescription drugs in nondescript containers or with something unappealing to avoid them being diverted when you place them in the trashcan.

How Can You Remove PPCPs from Your Home’s Drinking Water?

Hague Quality Water of Maryland knows your concerns about PPCPs in drinking water, and we have dynamic solutions to help solve this problem.  Our water treatment technicians are available to test the water in your home to determine the right solution. As a supplement our traditional in-home water tests, you can purchase a new contactless water test kit for only $200 and have it mailed directly to your home. You will take samples in your home and then mail them to our lab. You will get the results and then our team will work with you to find the right filtration solutions for your home’s water supply. Water testing is the first step to see what should be changed about your current drinking water.

Whether you live in the city or in the suburbs, the WaterMax® BEQ is the perfect solution for treating municipal water. The filtration solution can take out sediment, salt, dirt and other contaminants from your water supply. When used in addition to a reverse osmosis solution, you can feel confident that there is nothing dangerous present in your drinking water. Every system comes alongside a 25-year Manufacturer’s Limited warranty, so you will have the peace of mind that your water will remain clear, safe, clean and free from dangerous substances. You will never need to worry about the cost of bad well water again.

Never Worry About the Safety of Your Drinking Water with Hague Quality Water of Maryland

If your family lives in Anne Arundel, Montgomery or Prince George’s County and you are concerned about the quality and contents of your water, we are here to help with your water improvement projects. Whether you need the Hague WaterMax® BEQ or additional filtration beyond that, our team cares deeply about the health and safety of your family.  To purchase your water test kit today, click here. For additional assistance, call Hague Quality Water of Maryland at (410) 757-2992.