For the second year in a row, the Plainview Water District (PWD) is hosting its Pharmaceutical Take Back Day on Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the district’s headquarters located at 10 Manetto Hill Road. A key element of PWD’s Preserve Plainview initiative, the drive-thru-like Pharmaceutical Take Back Day aims to reduce the occurrence of hazardous medication disposal, such as mixing in with regular trash or flushing down the toilet, and seeks to mitigate the negative impact on the community.
“People may not be aware of just how bad flushing pharmaceuticals down the toilet is for our water source,” said Marc Laykind, chairman of the Plainview Water District. “It can be extremely damaging to our precious sole-source aquifer, and the Pharmaceutical Take Back Day goes a long way to ending the practice.”
When someone flushes medications or throws them in the garbage, there is a likelihood that the medications’ contents will ultimately enter the district’s water supply. If there is an elevated presence of toxins, the district will have no choice but to invest in expensive treatment systems.
“All of us have a responsibility to keep our water source clean for our families, friends and neighbors,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “Participating in an event such as our Pharmaceutical Take Back Day is a great, easy way to contribute to the health and well-being of our water source and ensuring unused medications don’t end up in the wrong hands.”
To encourage widespread participation, PWD has designed the Pharmaceutical Take Back Day, which is held in partnership with the Nassau County Police Department, to be as simple and convenient as possible.
“Many of us have unwanted or expired medication in our cabinets that we don’t know what to do with,” said PWD Commissioner Andy Bader. “Whether you have one pill or an entire box, please take them to our office during our Pharmaceutical Take Back Day. Your participation is important and appreciated.”
For more information, call 516-931-6469 or visit the district website at www.plainviewwater.org.
