Miami Student

Issue date: 3/25/08 Section: Community

In a survey of 24 American cities, the Associated Press found low amounts of caffeine, also found in soft drinks, among other pharmaceuticals in Cincinnati's drinking water.

In a nationwide survey of major metropolitan water sources done by the Associated Press, Cincinnati was one of 24 American cities that tested positive for at least one pharmaceutical in its drinking water. But Cincinnati residents can rest assured-their drinking water is still safe and clean.

According Ann Turner, administrative assistant to the director of Cincinnati Water Works, there were four pharmaceuticals found in the Cincinnati Water Works source water, and in the filtered water they found very small amounts of caffeine.

However, Turner was confident that this finding illustrates the quality of Cincinnati's water, and not a sign of any potential danger.

"The amount is so small that it's not a danger to people," Turner said. "The caffeine is measured in parts per trillion and a good way to think about it is the caffeine to our water is like one second to 32 thousand years. What our involvement in the AP survey proved is that we have really good water."

David Weihrauch, water treatment plant manager for Cincinnati Water Works, said that the facility provides water to parts of Hamilton, Warren and Butler counties, and to Boone County, Ky.

Weihrauch added that the facility regularly works with environmental organizations to help keep the operation of the water works as eco-friendly as possible.

"We work with other utility companies, research foundations and the EPA to improve our operating and filtering technology," Weihrauch said. "As our technology improves, our service and quality of water improves too."

Weihrauch said that because caffeine is used so widely in drinks such as coffee and soda, the water works routinely tests for caffeine in their water. She added that the current filtering system is capable of removing a majority of pharmaceuticals.

"The use of (granular activated carbon) is considered a very good form of water treatment, which is what we use," Weihrauch said. "We let the water sift through the carbon and it removes a lot of unwanted materials from the water."

Oxford Mayor Prue Dana said that while Oxford does not receive water from the Cincinnati Water Works, steps have also been taken to help keep the water quality in Oxford high.

"Oxford gets its water from wells near the water treatment plant on U.S. State Rt. 73," Dana said. "The city has worked to restore the older wells and we are doing our best to keep development away from that area."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools