Utility urges residents to properly dispose of pharmaceutical waste

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- California American Water has designated the week of November 9, 2009 as "No Drugs Down the Drain" week for its Sacramento service area as part of a national campaign sponsored by public and private agencies alike toward the common mission of reducing pharmaceutical pollution in our source water supplies.

Sacramento County accepts pharmaceuticals and other household items free of charge at:

    Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Area in the North Area Recovery Station
                              4450 Roseville Road
                            North Highlands CA 95660
             Hours of Operation: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday -
                              8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
                             Phone: (916) 875-5555

California American Water, which helps sponsors the "No Drugs Down the Drain" outreach campaign in Sacramento, is encouraging all of its Sacramento customers to properly dispose of pharmaceutical waste. Items like aspirin, prescription drugs and other medications should never be thrown down the drain or toilet. They can often seep into the ground and find their way back into our water supply.

"Our water treatment standards meet and exceed those mandated by state and federal authorities," said California American Water's Northern Division general manager Andy Soule. "However, the best water treatment is to prevent pollution at the source. Every time you throw away a bottle of aspirin or medication in the toilet, you are putting these medicines into the environment with the potential for harm. We're asking all of our customers to please dispose of such waste appropriately."

California American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to more than 600,000 people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in 32 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com

SOURCE California American Water

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