Reminder: Don't Flush Your Drugs!

Press Release - For Immediate Release

BAY CITY, Mich., July 25, 2016 - Getting rid of unused and unwanted medication in our homes and communities is more important than ever, but remember not to flush your drugs down the toilet or sink. Flushing can cause medications to reach the Saginaw Bay because public wastewater treatment plants and on-site septic systems are not designed to treat or remove these chemicals.

All prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication should be properly disposed of and most neighborhood pharmacies and local law enforcement offices now have a Drug Take Back program where drugs can be dropped off.

“There have been many studies over the past twenty years that show the water quality of Saginaw Bay has improved and the coastal ecosystem shows strong signs of recovery” said Tom Hickner, Bay County Executive, who leads the Saginaw Bay Coastal Initiative, “and we have a world class walleye fishery we need to protect.” There has been a lot of work done to improve conditions in the Saginaw Bay, “Please, don’t flush your drugs.”