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The presence of illicit drugs in surface waters used for drinking water production and infinished water has been evaluated in a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP). A study of theoccurrence of these compounds in the river basin which provides raw water to this DWTP hasalso been done. The analytical procedure was based on the analysis of illicit drugs by ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS)after an enrichment step performed by solid-phase extraction (SPE). In surface waters, cocaine,benzoylecgonine (cocaine metabolite), amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy) andMDA were detected at mean concentrations ranging from 4 ng/L to 350 ng/L, whereasconcentrations up to 76 ng/L for codeine; 31 ng/L for EDDP (metabolite of methadone); 12 ng/Lfor morphine and 9 ng/L for methadone were monitored at the intake of the DWTP.The elimination of these compounds during drinking water treatment was investigated. Cocaine, amphetamine type stimulants, codeine and morphine werecompletely removed during the potabilization process. Methadone, EDDP and benzoylecgoninewith reductions of 91%, 87% and 90%, respectively were the sole compounds that persistedthrough treatment.A survey of Spanish treated waters suggests that several illicit drugs and metabolites arepresent at low ng/L levels. Includes 18 references, tables.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 11/01/2008 Number of Pages: 8