Updated: March 10, 2008

DEP Statement on New York City's Water Supply

New York City's drinking water is among the best in the world, and though nothing in the information we've seen presents a risk to this water supply, we understand and take very seriously public concerns about pharmaceuticals in drinking water and continue to closely monitor this emerging national issue, in cooperation with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

DEP and DOHMH are working together to develop an education program about the best disposal methods for medications, targeting both watershed communities and city residents, and to consider appropriate next steps.

It also important that New Yorkers know that DEP is very aggressive in its efforts to protect our water quality at the source. Already, New York City mandates the highest level of treatment available -- known as tertiary treatment -- at its watershed wastewater treatment plants and is responsible for a robust watershed protection program that includes the replacement of old or failing septic tanks and the upgrade and continued maintenance of all watershed wastewater treatment plants.