Due to the recent interest in pharmaceuticals found in Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams, PA Environment Digest is again making available a Video Blog interview with Dr. J. Kent Crawford, Water Quality Specialist for the Pennsylvania Water Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey.

Dr. Crawford was the guest presenter at an Environmental Forum hosted by the Joint Air & Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee.

He spoke about a water quality study the U.S.G.S. was conducting to determine if there are pharmaceutical compounds and physician-prescribed antibiotics in Pennsylvania’s ground and surface waters in November 2006.

The first phase of the project, which was funded by the Department of Environmental Protection, looked for these compounds in ground and surface water in predominantly agricultural areas and downstream from wastewater treatment plants. A second phase of the project will look at these compounds in drinking water supplies.

Dr. Crawford, who has over 30 years of experience in a variety of water quality projects, can be contacted at 717-730-6909 or send email to: Crawford@usgs.gov .

The Joint Conservation Committee is chaired by Rep. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) and Sen. Ray Musto (D-Luzerne) serves as vice-chairman.

Video Blog: Dr. Kent Crawford Talks About Pharmaceuticals in Water

NewsClips: What’s In Our Water?

Drinking Water in State is Safe, Official Says

Suppliers: Local Water Safe to Drink

Local Water Authorities Respond to Investigation

Study of Drugs in Water Supply Will Take Until 2010

DEP Supports Effort to Identify Pharmaceuticals in Water Supplies

PA Environment Digest Video Blog

3/14/2008