The water sectors contribution to reducing pollution by pharmaceuticals

Transcription

1 The water sectors contribution to reducing pollution by pharmaceuticals Water and Pharmaceuticals - insights and perspectives for health and environment IWA Sweden Uppsala April 2016 Anders Finnson Swedish Water&Wastewater Association

2 Swedish environmental goals The generational goal The overall goal of Swedish environmental policy is to hand over to the next generation a society in which the major environmental problems in Sweden have been solved, - without increasing environmental and health problems outside Sweden s borders. 2

3 Swedish Environmental Objectives 1. Reduced Climate Impact 2. Clean Air 3. Natural Acidification Only 4. A Non-Toxic Environment 5. A Protective Ozone Layer 6. A Safe Radiation Environment 7. Zero Eutrophication 8. Flourishing Lakes and Streams 9. Good-Quality Groundwater 10. A Balanced Marine Environment, Flourishing Coastal Areas and Archipelagos 11. Thriving Wetlands 12. Sustainable Forests 13. A Varied Agricultural Landscape 14. A Magnificent Mountain Landscape 15. A Good Built Environment 16. A Rich Diversity of Plant and Animal Life 3

4 Swedish Water&Wastewater Association Sweden should have fresh drinking water, clean lakes and seas and access to long-term sustainable water services. 4

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8 Inflow of non-wanted pollutants into the cycles Safe drinking water Environment and resource efficient wastewater systems

9 Swedish Water&Wastewater Association 9

10 Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceutical products are essential to our society s health and their use is likely to increase in the future due to a growing ageing population. The ability to interact with biological processes also means that pharmaceuticals can affect other species. A negative impact on the environment in the long run - will also have a negative impact on humans in the long run.

11 Solve the challenge in a sustainable way - two necessary parallel tracks - upstream work and advanced wastewater treatment technology The wastewater treatment plant is the last step between the urban area and our waterways but can never be the only step. There is a need for control at source - upstream work for the water and for the recycling of nutrients. Wise use of pharmaceuticals should always be at the center of discussion.

12 Control at source - upstream levels - from tablet to toilet - 1. Design level: development of green pharmacy 2. Authorisation level 3. Post-Authorisation level 4. Procurement and Marketing level 5. Hospital level 6. Healthcare professionals level: prescriptions and training 7. Households level: make consumers and patients more responsible 8. Wastewater treatment plants level

13 Wastewater treatment plants level Energy use increases by 2-10 times compared with current treatment technologies It is important to weigh the need for WWTP efforts with other environmental objectives, such as energy and climate change.

14 Swedish Water&Wasewater Association+members Participation in pharma & environment R&D programmes / projects The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management Advanced treament - pilot study programme ( ) Full-scale ozonation plant in Linköping (2017) MistraPharma ( ) SVU report Removal of pharmaceuticals in moving bed biofilm reactors EurEau s Contribution to the EC Strategic Approach on Pharmaceuticals in the Environment (2014) SVU report Removal of pharmaceuticals in Swedish wastewater treatment plants state of art Pharmaceuticals - environment and treatment ( ) Government Assignment Report (2008) 5-10 other SVU-reports Active participation in several national knowledge networks

15 Most promising advanced treatment technologies When advanced wastewater treatment may be considered as for sensitive recipient waterbodies not fulfilling environment quality standards: Activated carbon filter Ozonation + activated carbon Moving Bed Bio Reactor (MBBR)

16 The EC strategic approach to pollution of water by pharmaceutical substances Important strategy for the European waters - ready in 2016/2017? The Swedish Water & Wastewater association and our European Association, EurEau, are looking forward to contribute to the European Commission regarding the strategic approach to pollution of water by pharmaceutical substances.

17 Conclusions Solve the challenge in a sustainable way - two necessary parallel tracks - upstream work + advanced wastewater treatment technology The water sector is one of the main drivers in pharma & environment R&D projects. Active participation in national knowledge networks. The EC strategic approach to pollution of water by pharmaceutical substances will be crucial for the European waters

18 The water sectors contribution to reducing pollution by pharmaceuticals Water and Pharmaceuticals - insights and perspectives for health and environment IWA Sweden Uppsala April 2016 Anders Finnson Swedish Water&Wastewater Association