The head of the Washington Aqueduct says local drinking water is safe to drink.

Thomas Jacobus was asked to speak at today's board meeting of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments in response to an Associated Press investigation into pharmaceuticals in drinking water supplies around the country.

The investigation found that the water supplies of at least 24 major metropolitan areas -- including Washington -- had tiny amounts of drugs in them.

It's not known whether such small amounts have any effect on human health.

Tee Guidotti, a public health expert from George Washington University, says the issue needs further study. He says it's cause for concern because pharmaceuticals are -- quote -- "designed to have an effect on health."

Email To A Friend