Official statement from Paul Miller, Manager of Operations and Water Quality at Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) issued 3/10/08:

The occurrence of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and pharmaceuticals in low concentrations in drinking water supplies for large metropolitan areas across the United States has recently become an issue reported in the national news. These constituents typically enter waterways through individual personal use that eventually enters wastewater treatment facilities. Some wastewater treatment facilities serve large to very large populations and discharge their treated wastewater to waterways that may be used again as a drinking water supply. It appears that some of these EDC/pharmaceutical compounds make it through the wastewater treatment facilities and into receiving waters.

TMWA's treatment facilities are designed to meet the requirements set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These standards are enforced by EPA, State of Nevada and Washoe County District Health Department. The United States has very high standards for water quality. TMWA's treatment facilities continuously meet these standards and most often produce water that is significantly better than required by these standards.

Prior to the recent news reports, TMWA took several water samples and sent them out for national testing. Those results are expected in four to eight weeks.

Related links:

Dr. Shane Snyder's Senate testimony

American Water Works Association (AWWA) comments on AP pharmaceuticals report

EPA Information about Pharmaceuticals

Toxicological Relevance of Endocrine Disruptors and Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water (AWWARF)

Water System Video

Water Quality Report

Water Quality Page

Water Treatment Page
(note the How is our water treated? animated video at top right corner)

Related Articles:

3/15/08 Crush, but don't flush, unused pharmaceuticals
Reno Gazette-Journal (PDF)

3/12/08 How Safe is Our Water? Channel 2 Investigates
KTVN Channel 2