FAQ Frequently asked questions about pharmaceuticals in drinking water

No, the last test in April 2023 checked Bremen's drinking water for more than 20 different pharmaceuticals and no residues found.

Pharmaceutical residues enter wastewater via human and animal metabolism. The improper disposal of pharmaceuticals via the toilet or sink also contributes to wastewater pollution. These substances are not filtered out completely in sewage treatment plants and can thus enter rivers and groundwater.

The treatment of drinking water can reduce existing pharmaceutical residues, but cannot always remove them completely. However, the quantities found are very low (in the range of nanograms = billionths of a gram per litre). According to current knowledge, these are not harmful to humans, but possible long-term effects still need to be investigated.

You can take the following measures:

• Dispose old or unused pharmaceuticals in your residual waste or at a pharmacy.
• Never throw pharmaceuticals into the toilet or sink.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your actual medication needs, as too many prescribed pharmaceuticals end up in thetrash.

When pharmaceuticals are disposed of in the toilet or sink, they end up in thewastewater. Sewage treatment plants cannot filter out these substances completely, so they end up in rivers and groundwater. This can pollute the environment and our drinking water.

Yes, many pharmacies offer the option of disposing of old or unused pharmaceuticals properly.