Culligan Water Treatment, Softeners-Filters
Hey Culligan Man! Better Water, Pure and Simple! Filters, Softeners
FACT SHEET: Pharmaceuticals in water
As news reports about pharmaceuticals in water circulate, here are several facts for consumers toconsider:
• Filtering systems in the home provide the highest technology available for treatment of drinking
water. Less than two percent of all water consumed is ingested by humans, making these
“point-of-use” systems the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
• While utilities are required to meet safety standards set by the U.S. EPA, home filtering systems
act as a final contaminant barrier and can further purify water for drinking.
• While specific product performance standards have not yet been developed for pharmaceuticals,
many point-of-use technologies have proven effective for some of these emerging
contaminants. Nano-filtration and reverse osmosis systems removed drugs tested by the
Colorado School of Mines at full-scale facilities in Arizona and California. Activated carbon,
distillation, ozonation, and advanced oxidization have likewise shown promise in removing
many of these contaminants. Individual manufacturers can also test products for specific
pharmaceuticals if they choose.
• According to Utah State University Extension, up to 90 percent of oral drugs can pass through
humans unchanged. These often then move through wastewater into streams and
groundwater. It is generally cost prohibitive for utilities to use systems such as nano-filtration,
long contact activated carbon, and reverse osmosis. However, these technologies have proven
successful at removing many contaminants in home water treatment systems.
• In addition to pharmaceuticals, water quality experts are examining other emerging
contaminants, such as those found in personal care products and pesticides. These are often
referred to as endocrine disrupting chemicals. Home filtering systems have also been proven
to treat threats such as lead and mercury.
• WQA provides Gold Seal certification for products that remove a variety of contaminants.
• Consumers can learn about different treatment systems and find locally certified dealers by
visiting the WQA Web site’s Gold Seal and Find A Professional features.
• More information is available at WQA’s Water Information Library online, which includes a
search feature.
WQA is a non-profit association that provides public information about water treatment issues
and also trains and certifies professionals to better serve consumers. WQA has more than 2,500
members nationwide.
The Issue
• The Associated Press, CNN, and other news agencies have reported that trace levels of
pharmaceuticals have been found in certain drinking water supplies. Culligan has been closely
tracking this issue with our customers and dealers.
• It’s important to note that contaminants may not be in every water supply and that the level of
contaminants in water varies. It depends on what enters the water supply before treatment and
how the supply is treated at water treatment facilities.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not currently regulate pharmaceutical
chemicals in drinking water.
- The EPA regulates specific microorganisms, disinfectants, disinfection byproducts, inorganic
chemicals and organic chemicals.
- The organic chemicals regulated by the EPA are typically byproducts of herbicides, pesticides and
chemical manufacturing processes – not pharmaceuticals.
Culligan Solutions
• According the Water Quality Association in a fact sheet issued 3/11/08 on “Pharmaceuticals in
Drinking Water,” home filtering systems provide the best protection for drinking water. (See
attached report)
• Culligan offers homeowners multiple state-of-the-art water treatment options to address their local
water conditions and lifestyle needs.
- A simple sediment and carbon filter reduces particles, tastes and odors.
- Reverse osmosis technology reduces many substances in water such as: calcium, magnesium,
sodium, barium, sulfates, chloride, and silica. It also reduces trace metals such as: chromium,
copper, cadmium, lead, and selenium.
- Culligan’s reverse osmosis (RO) filtration technology is effective at getting out over 80 percent of
certain pharmaceuticals.
- Historically, reverse osmosis has been shown to effectively reduce chemical compounds with
molecular weights over 250. Since pharmaceuticals are generally very large molecules, reverse
osmosis is able to substantially reduce this class of compounds.
- Other filters are specifically designed to reduce certain contaminants such as: lead, mercury,
volatile organic compounds, cysts and chloramines.
• Ultimately, selecting the right product depends on what substances our homeowners want
removed from their drinking water.
What Consumers Can Do
• Residents concerned about their local water supply should contact their local Culligan dealer for a
professional analysis and consultation on the appropriate water treatment solution.
• With Culligan, you can trust the water experts who are dedicated to better water, pure and
simple.
TM• Our regional water experts know the conditions of their local water supply intimately and can offer
the best recommendations.
