Following Report, Council To Hold Hearing on Tap Water

The City Council will hold an emergency hearing to investigate news reports that say trace amounts of pharmaceutical drugs are reaching New Yorkers' tap water, the chairman of council's environmental committee, James Gennaro, announced today.

"Though New York City currently meets all federal and state regulations for quality both in source watersheds and at the tap, I'm very concerned about the possible effects of even traces of pharmaceuticals in our drinking water," Mr. Gennaro said in a statement. "This hearing will allow the public, the scientific community and government officials to testify about their concerns and their actions in light of recent findings." A report by the Associated Press released yesterday said research had found small amounts of more than 15 pharmaceutical drugs in upstate watersheds that serve the city, leading local lawmakers to express safety concerns about its drinking water.