Water-quality hearing

I think we can all agree that clean water is our most precious resource. Because of recent water testing that has indicated trace amounts of pharmaceuticals appearing in our drinking water, I've decided to hold a hearing on this issue. At this point the United States EPA has not deemed these results harmful; currently our water is safe to drink. Our goal is to find a way to safely and easily dispose of unused medications, rather than have them flushed down toilets or thrown into the garbage, and to ensure that the amounts of medications found in water decreases rather that increases. We will be working closely with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and are optimistic that we will find a simple long-term solution. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts and ideas.




Water-quality hearing Tuesday

State Sen. Susan Garrett, D-Lake Forest, will conduct a hearing on water quality and the level of pharmaceuticals in drinking water Tuesday in Chicago.

The hearing, before the Illinois Senate Committee on Public Health, which Garrett chairs, will be held at 10 a.m. in the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St., Chicago.

Public health officials, drug company representatives and environmental representatives are expected to attend the hearing.

Garrett said she expects the hearing to draw attention to water quality and to address potential legislative action on the issue.

"We expect to receive testimony from the pharmaceutical industry, as well as counties throughout Illinois who have successfully offered programs to safely discard medications," she said. "Our goal is to eliminate pharmaceuticals from our water supply."