Protecting the water New Yorkers drink is the goal behind several settlements announced today between the state and medical facilities.

Under the agreement announced by State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo today, five medical facilities have agreed to stop releasing pharmaceuticals into the New York City watershed. Those drugs end up in the watershed when they’re flushed down toilets.

Cuomo says the city’s water is safe and to date only trace amounts of pharmaceuticals have ended up in the drinking supply.

“We want to stop it from becoming a problem,” Cuomo said. “All too often, we only respond once it’s a problem and then we have to work very hard to fix it. We want to stop this from being a problem.”

The facilities have also agreed to pay for past violations of the law and the cost of the investigation. Additionally, they will institute take-back systems so households can bring the facilities the pharmaceuticals and they can be disposed of properly.

Cuomo says he is trying to work with 10 other medical facilities to reach a similar agreement.

Source: NY1