The Benzoylecgonin loads observed in wastewater indicate that cocaine use is highest in western and southern European cities, especially in cities in Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain. Very low levels were recorded in most Eastern European cities, but recent data shows signs of an increase.

Cocaine residues in wastewater, hotspots in Europe

Trends in the average daily amounts of benzoylecgonine in milligrams per 1,000 inhabitants in Antwerp Zuid (Belgium), Zagreb (Croatia), Paris Seine Center (France), Milan (Italy), Eindhoven and Utrecht (Netherlands), Castellon and Santiago (Spain). These 8 cities were selected based on the availability of annual data from 2012 to 2020.

Cannabis is the most widely consumed illicit drug in Europe with an estimated 22.2 million users last year. Cannabis use appeared to have been less affected during the pandemic lockdown periods, although there were differences between and within countries. The levels of THC-COOH observed in wastewater indicate that cannabis use was highest in western and southern European cities, particularly in cities in Croatia, France, Spain, the Netherlands and Portugal.

Cannabis residues in wastewater, hotspots in Europe

Amphetamine and methamphetamine, two closely related stimulants, are both consumed in Europe, although amphetamine is used much more frequently. Methamphetamine use has historically been restricted to the Czech Republic and more recently to Slovakia, although use has increased in other countries in recent years.

The amphetamine loads detected in the wastewater varied considerably between the study locations, with the highest values reported in cities in northern and eastern Europe. Amphetamine was found in much lower concentrations in cities in southern Europe.

Amphetamine residues in wastewater, hotspots in Europe

Methamphetamine residues in wastewater, hotspots in Europe

Quelle EMCDDA und SCORE

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Approx. 40-50 substances are tested in drinking water in accordance with the requirements of the Drinking Water Ordinance. According to public sources, water can „easily contain 1500 substances of anthropogenic origin“. Including pollution from environmental toxins, industrial residues, manure fertilization from factory farming, medication, drugs, hormones, bacteria. The WHO requires the testing of „200 substances because of their known effects on health“ *. One reads more often about bacterial alarms and other drinking water alarms in the press releases.

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The enrichment of drinking water with gaseous dissolved hydrogen as a natural antioxidant can help to bind and remove free radicals in the cells. Vitamins are also hydrogen compounds. An increased content of gaseous dissolved hydrogen could be detected in so-called healing springs.