FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 11, 2001
OCWD GENERAL MANAGER RESPONDS TO O.C. REGISTER PHARMACEUTICAL NEWS ITEM
Editor
Orange County Register
RE: "Prescription for Worry," September 9, 2001
Dear Editor:
It was very important for the Orange County Register to write a story about pharmaceutical compounds in our water supply. However, a key element omitted in the article is the fact that Orange County Water District (OCWD) along with West Basin Municipal Water District in Los Angeles has begun addressing the pharmaceutical issue with extensive research. West Basin has tested for six pharmaceuticals, detecting low-levels of all six in wastewater before reverse osmosis purification. West Basin found that all six were removed by reverse osmosis technology. Additionally, OCWD and West Basin are spending a total of $150,000 for a computer modeling program that can simulate and aid in the research of pharmaceutical removal from water.
As the article mentioned, results of the current pharmaceutical testing are only preliminary – data collected are based on only one round of tests. At least two more rounds, testing for the same compounds, will take place to verify their complete removal by the reverse osmosis purification process.
Because it will take some time for testing to take place and for health risks of pharmaceuticals to be established, OCWD is taking a national lead in testing and research methods to screen for pharmaceuticals. Orange County residents can be assured that by working closely with the California Department of Health Services on OCWD’s water reuse/recycling efforts, our drinking water supplies will remain at a very safe, high-quality level.
Sincerely,
William R. Mills
General Manager
The Orange County Water District is a special water agency created by the California Legislature in l933 to maintain and manage the huge groundwater basin under northern Orange County. The groundwater basin managed by OCWD supplies 75% of the water needs to more than 2 million residents in the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington and Newport Beach, Irvine, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Orange, Placentia, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster and Yorba Linda.
For further information contact:
Ron Wildermuth, OCWD (714) 378-3351
Jenny Glasser, OCWD (714) 378-3228
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