The impact of pharmaceuticals in rivers

In this article we look at this growing issue for wastewater treatment and how Aqua Advice can help pharmaceutical manufacturers avoid the risks of non-compliance.  

Pharmaceuticals detected in rivers across English national parks 

A study published in 2024 revealed that pharmaceuticals were present in 52 out of 54 river sites across ten national parks in England.  

Sampling for active pharmaceutical ingredients was taken from rivers across the country:

• Dartmoor
• Exmoor
• Lake District
• New Forest
• North York Moors
• Northumberland
• Peak District
• South Downs
• The Broads
• The Yorkshire Dales

Locations in the Peak District and Exmoor had higher concentrations of pharmaceuticals than most city rivers. 

What pharmaceuticals were found?  

The study detected 31 active pharmaceutical ingredients – also known as APIs. The most common found in the river sampling were:  

• Cetirizine 

• Metformin 

• Fexofenadine 

• Metformin 

• Caffeine 

• Paracetamol 

What are APIs?  

APIs are the biologically active components in drugs responsible for producing therapeutic effects, such as relieving pain, reducing inflammation, or treating infections.  

They are used in a wide range of medical applications, including antibiotics, painkillers, cancer treatment and insulin, as well as being a crucial component of contraceptive birth control pills. 

APIs are also found in coffee (caffeine) and cigarettes (nicotine). 

A global problem affecting the world’s rivers and waterways  

Pollution from medicines and pharmaceutical products is not limited to the UK:  a study in 2022 sampled water from more than 1,000 test sites in more than 100 countries.  More than a quarter of the 258 rivers sampled had APIs present at a level deemed unsafe for aquatic organisms. 

Rivers in Pakistan, Bolivia and Ethiopia were among the most polluted. 

The risks posed by APIs  

The presence of these substances even in trace amounts can drastically alter aquatic ecosystems. For example, dissolved human contraceptives can impact the development and reproduction of fish. 

Furthermore, the increased presence of antibiotics in rivers could also lead to the development of resistant bacteria. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) risks damaging the effectiveness of medicines and is considered one of the top global public health and development threats. 

How do pharmaceuticals end up in rivers?  

APIS can be released to the natural environment via:  

• Human use: when taking medication, the remaining API is excreted through urine and feces, eventually entering the water system 

• Improper disposal of unused medicines 

• Use in veterinary medicine 

• Agricultural run-off 

• Wastewater produced during the manufacturing and formulation of APIs and products 

Risks for pharmaceutical manufacturers 

The European Union has updated its Urban Waste Water Treatment directive to include pharmaceuticals and cosmetics in the “polluter pays” principle, aiming to reduce the cost of treating wastewater pollution. 

The discovery of APIs in rivers means that pharmaceutical manufacturers now risk significant fines if they fail to meet their compliance obligations – not to mention the reputational damage associated with being found to have polluted the environment.  

How Aqua Advice can help tackle challenges in the pharmaceutical industry 

Efficient and effective wastewater treatment not only a legal obligation for pharmaceutical manufacturers – sustainability and cost are also important factors to consider.  

Aqua Advice can plan, design and install bespoke treatment methods to solve these specific challenges, improving efficiency and ensuring compliance.  

We do this in three stages:  

Audit & assessment 

We will test your existing wastewater treatment processes to identify the optimal treatment solutions ensure your treatment plant works more efficiently, saves you money and meets your legal obligations.    

Design & implementation  

Using advanced treatment technologies, we can design treatment solutions to degrade pharmaceutical compounds, adsorb organic compounds or remove solid contaminants with membrane filtration. 

Monitoring & training 

We can carry out regular audits to ensure you are up-to-date with changing regulations and provide staff training can help ensure compliance. 

Speak to Aqua Advice today  

The presence of pharmaceuticals in rivers is a wake-up call for manufacturers that environmental protection, regulatory compliance and effective wastewater treatment are all connected.  

With over 30 years in the wastewater treatment industry, Aqua Advice can help you join the dots – contact us today to arrange a free consultation.