Plainview Water District Hosts Pharmaceutical Take-Back Day

Press release from Plainview Water District:

Nov. 1, 2020

The Plainview Water District (PWD) recently held its third-annual Pharmaceutical Take Back Day, where a steady stream of residents collectively brought more than 300 pounds of their unwanted or expired medications to be properly disposed. A component of the District’s Preserve Plainview initiative, each year the drive-thru event aims to provide a convenient way to safely dispose of medications so they don’t ultimately find their way into Long Island's sole-source aquifer.

“We are proud of the Plainview-Old Bethpage community as they once again took advantage of this opportunity to dispose of their unused or expired medications safely,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “The saying it takes a village is particularly true when it comes to our collective responsibility to protect our sole-source aquifer. We are thrilled at the increasing turnout at this event each year.”

When someone flushes medications down the toilet 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 from pharmaceuticals in the groundwater, the District will have no choice but to invest in expensive treatment systems so the impurities can be removed before they reach customers’ homes.

To encourage widespread participation this year in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PWD ensured Pharmaceutical Take Back Day, which is held in partnership with the Nassau County Police Department, was as simple, convenient and safe as possible. All residents with unused or expired medications drove to the District’s headquarters at 10 Manetto Hill Road without having to leave their vehicles. Every District employee was compliant with social distancing and safety protocols.

For additional information about the Plainview Water District’s Pharmaceutical Take Back Day or other District initiatives, please call (516) 931-6469 or visit the Plainview Water District website at www.plainviewwater.org. Residents can also sign up to receive information by submitting their email address through the District’s homepage or following them on Facebook in order to stay up-to-date with District activities and initiatives.

This press release was produced by Plainview Water District. The views expressed here are the author's own.