The following op-ed column by SNRE Professor Jonathan W. Bulkley and SNRE Ph.D. candidate Christine J. Kirchhoff appeared in todayí¢â‚¬â„¢s Detroit Free Press. (Click here to view the article on the Detroit Free Press web site.)

The Associated Press did a great job in its recent investigation of the ubiquitous presence of pharmaceuticals in the drinking water of 24 metropolitan areas, including Detroit and encompassing more than 41 million people.

Adverse impacts associated with exposure to these drugs have been observed in fish and other aquatic species. Even though the concentrations are very low, a potential exists for harm to people.

Of particular concern are the long-term health impacts on vulnerable populations, including children and nursing or pregnant women, from mixtures of these trace contaminants that have the potential for unwanted interactions with other drugs or chemicals. Children also could be affected by the long-term exposure of their parents.

Therefore, we recommend three major actions:

í¢â‚¬ ¢ First, initiate a major long-term health monitoring study of representative populations exposed to trace contaminants through drinking water.

í¢â‚¬ ¢ Second, undertake additional research focused on improving existing technologies that may prove effective in removing trace contaminants. These technologies include active carbon and reverse osmosis treatment systems.

They should be studied for use not only on raw water being treated for drinking and household use but also to reduce the discharge of trace contaminants from wastewater treatment plants. Research is needed to ensure such treatment technologies demonstrate a high degree of reliability, ease of maintenance, and low capital cost outlays when done on a large scale.

No regulations now require the removal of pharmaceuticals and other trace contaminants at drinking water plants or wastewater plants. Accordingly, these facilities have not been designed, built and operated to remove these very low concentration contaminants.

As more knowledge is gained through long-term studies, appropriate rules and regulations must be enacted to require removal of these pharmaceuticals and trace contaminants.

í¢â‚¬ ¢ Third, we recommend a trust fund be established for future construction and operation of the treatment systems determined to be the most cost effective and reliable. The trust fund should be funded by a penny-per-thousand-gallon fee, or about $1 per year, collected from all customers using such treatment systems.

These pennies would accumulate into a significant amount to pay for cost-effective and reliable treatment of adverse trace contaminants, for the long-term protection of human health and the environment.

We must act now to develop the knowledge, and the ways and means, to achieve this needed protection.

A combination of careful and long-term health monitoring coupled with additional research to demonstrate reliable and cost-effective removal of these contaminants are essential steps. A trust fund to which all potentially affected water users contribute will provide the resources needed to implement the advanced treatment systems.

We owe this not only to ourselves, but to all who follow after us. Failure to act is not an option.

JONATHAN W. BULKLEY is a professor with a joint appointment between the School of Natural Resources and Environment and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan. CHRISTINE J. KIRCHHOFF is a PhD candidate and research assistant in the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Michigan.