Monitoring pharmaceuticals and narcotics in wastewater

Through our Eurofins Environment Testing Competence Centre in Finland, Eurofins Water Hygiene Testing offers accredited analytical services for nearly 200 compounds, including all marker substances listed in the new EU directives and those on watch lists.

Why water testing for pharmaceuticals and narcotics matters

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

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)

*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.

Eurofins wastewater and environmental testing

Through our Eurofins Environment Testing Competence Centre in Finland, Eurofins Water Hygiene Testing 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)

UK-wide drop-off facilities

Eurofins UK clients benefit from our extensive and free to use logistics and sample drop-off network with over 60 drop-off locations.

Sample bottles

To ensure that we are able to test your water chemistry samples please submit them in appropriate sample bottles. 

Get in touch

Would you like to find out more about our water hygiene testing and compliance services? Contact Eurofins Water Hygiene Testing UK today by submitting an enquiry form or calling +44 (0) 845 604 6740.

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