Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/970989
WEEKLY EDITION APRIL 18, 2018 Pharmaceuticals in Wastewater: Implications for the Portable Sanitation Industry…continued By Karleen Kos, PSAI Executive Director General Implications Although the concentrations of individual pharmaceuticals reported in investigated water bodies and municipal water supplies worldwide are low and may not cause any harm to the human health in the short run, the impact of receiving ongoing doses of unprescribed medicines, personal care products, recreational drugs, and related chemicals through drinking water may be much worse over time. The chronic exposure to a mixture of such compounds may disturb the balance in the human body, enhance a dangerous resistance to antibiotics, and thus pose a threat to the health of living organisms. People have already observed things such as mutations in the frog population and higher incidences of certain health issues than were seen a generation ago. Many scientists around the world are currently investigating whether the trace pharmaceuticals in the water supply can be linked to these situations. Implications for Portable Sanitation As if portable sanitation operators didn't have enough to worry about, the presence of pharmaceuticals in wastewater – and what to do about it – is sure to have an impact on our industry. Some of the most obvious implications that are likely to impact us over the next several years include: 1. Heightened sensitivity to this issue - among others - will increase monitoring of loads and impact what loads treatment plants will accept. 2. Pressure to ensure the water supply is safe will continue to increase, especially if there is a change in the party controlling Congress or the White House in coming elections. The recent debacle with the Flint, Michigan water supply and increased attention to issues like pharmaceuticals in water have drawn attention to these topics. The public's concern will potentially translate to policy changes that will impact operators at the treatment plant – again either in terms of what loads will be accepted or the cost of disposal. 3. If waste treatment plants grow less likely to accept portable sanitation loads or the cost of disposing there goes up, operators will have to increase their prices to customers. They will also have to choose between continuing to pay the disposal fees at the treatment plant or investing in their own on site treatment solution. On site solutions may become more feasible for mid-sized operators as the cost to dispose goes up. 4. There is good potential for an increased market for on site waste treatment solutions – especially those that recycle the water for ongoing use by the operator. 5. More research is needed, but it appears now that no one method of treating wastewater does as good a job of removing these pharmaceutical chemicals as multiple treatment methods. There is a significant business opportunity for inventors and entrepreneurs to improve waste treatment technologies that remove the chemicals more quickly and cheaply. What do you think? How will increased attention to trace pharmaceuticals in the treated water supply affect your business? Let us know at info@psai.org. PAGE 4