Let’s do an experiment. Grab a glass of water, pour some salt into it, mix it up and wait for the salt to dissolve. Now un-dissolve and remove it.
It’s not possible, right? Exactly how do you un-dissolve salt from water once it’s in there? Well, this is the exact problem that wastewater and water treatment plants are having when it comes to removing dissolved prescriptions and over-the counter medications from wastewater and water supplies. These plants are not designed to remove medicines that have been poured down the sink or flushed down the toilet. As a result, they pass through treatment systems and enter rivers and lakes, and ultimately straight to your tap. Which means your next dose of water could be dosed with something else.
So how do we prevent this? Spread the word. Never flush or pour old prescriptions down toilets or sinks—dispose of them in your household trash. To avoid accidental medication poisoning, keep pets and young children out of the bottles by dissolving the pills in water and mixing it with kitty litter or used coffee grounds. Then place it in a secure, lidded container in your trash. Taking these steps helps keep your pipes clear and our water safe!