Responsible Disposal of Expired or Unwanted Medications to Prevent Possible Contamination of Sole-Source Aquifers
The Plainview Water District (PWD), in partnership with the Nassau County Police Department, successfully hosted its seventh annual Pharmaceutical Take Back Day, collecting over 350 pounds of unused or expired medications. These medications will now be disposed of properly in order to prevent them from making it into the community’s sole-source aquifer for drinking water. This District has now collected and properly disposed of more than 2,100 pounds of medications since this event began in 2018.
“The Plainview Water District, with the help of the Plainview-Old Bethpage community, has held extremely effective Pharmaceutical Take Back Days for the past seven years,” said PWD Commissioner Marc Laykind. “We’re incredibly grateful to the community for turning out in such impressive numbers year after year to support this event. Thanks to their dedication, we collected over 350 pounds of unwanted medications this year, helping ensure they’re disposed of safely.”
When someone improperly disposing of prescription and over-the-counter medicines, such as flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away in the garbage, there is a likelihood that the medications’ contents will ultimately make their way into the community’s waterways and water supply. If there is an elevated presence of toxins from pharmaceuticals in the groundwater, the District will have no choice but to invest in costly treatment systems so the contaminants can be removed before they reach customers’ homes.
“Events like our Pharmaceutical Take Back Day are not only important for working towards protecting our water source, but also for educating our neighbors on preventative measures that can be added into our daily routines,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “It’s inspiring to see so many neighbors participate, showing just how much they care about our shared community. PWD thanks all those who have participated this year and in years past.”
“PWD takes great pride in hosting initiatives like this every year and we are always thrilled to see everyone who actively participates,” said PWD Commissioner Michael Chad. “We thank every resident who took the time out of their weekend to drop by, ensuring their unwanted medications are handled responsibly. It’s a true testament to the strength and unity of Plainview-Old Bethpage.”
For additional information about the Plainview Water District, please call (516) 931-6469 or visit the Plainview Water District website at www.plainviewwater.org. Residents can also sign up to receive information by submitting their email address through the District’s homepage or following them on Facebook in order to stay up-to-date with District activities and initiatives.