Health Department Keeps Drugs out of Your Drinking Water

Do you know what is in your water?

The Macomb County Health Department has kept more than 1,400 pounds of pharmaceutical waste from entering Southeastern Michigan's drinking water supply during the past three years. "Flushing medications down the toilet or putting them in the garbage so they end up in landfills is not the way to dispose of prescription or over-the-counter drugs," said Gary White, director of the Macomb Couinty Health Department's environmental health division. According to a March 2008 investigation by The Associated Press (AP), "a vast array of pharmaceuticals - including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones - have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans." Although the Detroit area's drinking water was among the systems in many cities found to contain low concentrations of pharmaceuticals, Macomb County began a program in 2005 that lets residents turn in unwanted medication so it can be disposed of properly. The program, made possible by the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, received an achievement award in 2007 from the National Association of Counties.

 

What You Can Do:

Macomb County residents can drop off unwanted or outdated medications from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Health Department, 43525 Elizabeth Road, in Mount Clemens.

Please note:

  • Controlled substances and syringes are not accepted.
  • Patient information must be removed from containers.
  • Medications should be removed from pill bottles and transferred into clear plastic zipper bags before delivery.

 

Local Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Occasionally, the Health Department schedules outreach programs throughout the county so residents can properly dispose of many household hazardous waste materials, including pharmaceuticals.

To see a listing of collection dates, times and locations, click here:

Or for more information, contact the Macomb County Health Department’s Household Hazardous Waste Hotline at 586-466-7923, or visit the Health Department’s Web page on medication disposal.