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Water Quality Information
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Powerpoint by Mike Adam of the Lake County Health Department
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More information on chlorides in the BACOG area will be added shortly!
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March 2012: Level 1 Testing for Bacteria and Nitrates
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The next level 1 testing event will take place in the fall of 2012, to learn about upcoming events, and to sign-up to be notified click here.
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Pharmaceuticals
Ever wondered what to do with unused and expired medications? Don't flush them! You could be harming your drinking water. Click here and read below to learn more about pharmaceuticals in groundwater and how to safely dispose of them.
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Do You Have Expired or Unused Pharmaceuticals?
Recent testing has shown an increasing number of drinking water sources around the country contain pharmaceutical components. Currently the levels are not known to affect human health, but studies show that some aquatic species are negatively reacting to pharmaceuticals contaminating their water. The Barrington Area Council of Governments (BACOG) advocates taking steps now to protect our groundwater from contamination before it becomes a health issue.
Don’t flush or toss!
Flushing old and unused medication creates an easy avenue for groundwater contamination. Septic tanks and wastewater treatment plants are unable to remove all pharmaceutical components during treatment. The water released from the treatment plant or your septic system still contains remnants of flushed medication. Through recharge, this water can make its way from the ground surface down to the groundwater, contaminating the water we pump into our homes for drinking. Putting your medicines in the trash is not a safe alternative. Landfills create a liquid composed of everything in the landfill, including pharmaceuticals. This liquid may be treated at a wastewater treatment plant but will still contain pharmaceuticals that can contaminate our water.
Where can I dispose of my pharmaceuticals?
Dispose of your pharmaceuticals at a reputable take back program. The Barrington Police Department, in cooperation with the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County, collects expired and unused medications the first Saturday of every month from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building, 400 N. Northwest Highway, Barrington. Residents of the BACOG region are fortunate to have a collection facility in their midst – take advantage of it and protect our drinking water! If you have questions, contact the Barrington Police Department at 847-304-3300.
New state legislation passed in 2011 will also address public health and safety in disposal of pharmaceuticals and allow for additional locations for collections in the future.
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For prescription drug take back day the Deer Park Village Hall and the Barrington Police Department will accept pharmaceuticals for safe disposal from 10am-2pm on April 28th. See flyer here.
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Click a marker and then click directions to get directions to your local take-back-program.
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