Local study is exploring role of chemicals in our water

An article recently appeared in The Olympian about research on residual chemicals in fish and Puget Sound. Residual chemicals in water is an issue of concern to our community and to the LOTT Clean Water Alliance, which provides wastewater treatment for the urban areas of Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater.

LOTT has been following scientific research on residual chemicals since the early 2000s, and participated in regional studies related to pharmaceuticals and personal care products in 2010 and 2012. LOTT’s board of directors initiated its own multiyear scientific study in 2012 to answer community questions about residual chemicals.

The “Reclaimed Water Infiltration Study” focuses on collecting data about the quality of our local groundwater, surface water, wastewater, and reclaimed water, including the presence of residual chemicals, and analyzing potential risks to human health and the environment. Later this year, initial water quality findings from the study will be available.

Fieldwork and analyses will continue into 2017, followed by public involvement to engage the community in discussions about study findings. The study and final report are expected to be complete in 2018.

Residual chemicals come from the many household and personal care products we all use, such as medicines, soaps, shampoos, cleaning products, lawn care products, and even some foods. When these chemicals go down the drain, they enter our wastewater systems — on-site septic systems or wastewater treatment plants — where the water is treated before it is released into the environment. Because wastewater treatment processes were not designed to remove all these chemicals, some remain in the water after treatment, eventually reaching Budd Inlet or local groundwater.

We can all help reduce the amount of residual chemicals that find their way into water by taking the following steps: Be a smart shopper — read labels and choose the least toxic products. Properly dispose of hazardous products at HazoHouse, located at the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center. Never flush medicine down the toilet or sink. Instead, drop off unused medicines at secure drop boxes, like the ones located at the Thurston County Courthouse, Lacey Police Department, and the Tumwater Police Department.

Stop by LOTT’s WET Science Center for more tips and pick up a handy pocket guide to buying safer personal care products.

LOTT will continue to study this important issue and share findings with our communities. We encourage the public to visit LOTT’s website at www.lottcleanwater.org to learn more about the reclaimed water infiltration study and sign up for study updates and notices about upcoming public events.

This story was originally published April 1, 2016 at 12:30 PM with the headline "Local study is exploring role of chemicals in our water."