The presence of pharmaceuticals, hormones and narcotics in wastewater is an increasing environmental and public health concern. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) receive pharmaceutical loads from households, hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry. Municipal wastewater effectively acts as a collective urine sample, offering valuable insights for environmental monitoring and health research.
Global drivers and environmental concerns
Global megatrends, including population growth and an ageing demographic, are placing additional pressure on WWTPs. Many municipal treatment systems are not equipped to fully remove pharmaceutical residues, allowing them to pass through into rivers, lakes and oceans. As surface water is often used for drinking water abstraction, this raises significant environmental and health risks.
*New legislative developments UK "Plan for Water"
In December 2024, the European Union adopted the revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/3019) to strengthen pollution controls and environmental protection. EU Member States are currently transposing the directive into national law with implementation deadlines through to 2027.
In the United Kingdom (UK), although the EU directive is not being adopted post-Brexit, similar goals are being pursued via regulatory reforms by Defra, the Environment Agency, and Ofwat. The UK Plan for Water addresses nutrient pollution, pharmaceutical residues, and infrastructure upgrades.
Key updates include
- Expansion to smaller agglomerations: Collection and treatment for areas of ≥1,000 population equivalents (p.e.)
- Enhanced treatment standard
- Secondary treatment for ≥1,000 p.e. by 2035
- Tertiary nutrient removal for ≥150,000 p.e. by 2039 and ≥10,000 p.e. by 2045
- Quaternary treatment to remove micropollutants (e.g. pharmaceuticals and personal care products) by 2045
- Broader monitoring requirements: microplastics, PFAS, antimicrobial resistance, and viral pathogens
- Extended producer responsibility (EPR): 80% cost coverage by pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries
*This information is for general guidance only and may not reflect the most recent regulatory changes. Always consult official sources for up-to-date legislation.
Surface and groundwater quality standards
While the Urban Wastewater Directive mandates quaternary treatment, it does not define specific Environmental Quality Standards (EQS). EQS for substances like pharmaceuticals are governed by the EU Water Framework Directive, its daughter directives and the UK equivalents.
The following substances have been proposed under updated monitoring and future EQS consideration:
Surface Waters (EQS)
- 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2)
- 17 beta-estradiol (E2)
- Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, Erythromycin
- Diclofenac, Ibuprofen
- Carbamazepine, Estrone (E1)
Groundwater (QS)
- Carbamazepine, Sulfamethoxazole
- Pharmaceutical active substances (total sum)
Eurofins wastewater and environmental testing
Through our Eurofins Environment Testing Competence Centre in Finland, Eurofins Water Hygiene Testing UK offers accredited analytical services for nearly 200 compounds, including all marker substances listed in the new EU directives and those on watch lists.
Our services include testing for
- Wastewater, surface water, groundwater, seawater, drinking water and process waters
- Sludge, sediment, soil and compost
- Controlled substances and narcotics (e.g. amphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, heroin)
For expert analysis and regulatory support, contact Eurofins today to discuss how we can help you meet future wastewater monitoring requirements.
For more information, please Contact us or call us on 0845 604 6740
