Charleston, Mt. Pleasant water systems might join forces with NOAA

The Charleston Water System on Thursday expressed interest in joining Mount Pleasant Waterworks and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in a study of pharmaceuticals in treated wastewater discharged into Charleston Harbor.

"We're very much hoping we can collaborate with them (NOAA)," said Jenny Hagan, Charleston Water System public relations manager.

Mount Pleasant Waterworks and Charleston Water System discharge millions of gallons of treated wastewater daily into the harbor. The utilities' treatment systems do not filter prescription drugs, which find their way into toilets because unused drugs are disposed of that way or because people take the drugs and excrete them.

Paul Comar, chief of research coordination and administrative services for the NOAA research lab at Fort Johnson, said the agency also is interested in the topic. "It's an emerging issue and it's something we're paying close attention to," he said. "Clearly they (drugs) are making their way through the sewer system. That's how they get there (harbor) for the most part," he said.

Testing for prescription drugs in treated wastewater is thought to be an issue worthy of exploration because of antibiotic-resistant bacteria NOAA scientists have found in some marine mammals in waters in and around the harbor. The theory is that some dolphin have been found to carry the drug-resistant germs because prescriptions drugs are being flushed into the harbor.

Read more in tomorrow's Post and Courier.