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Drinking water in Britain is under threat from drugs and cosmetics being flushed down the drains in millions of households, chemists have warned.

New contaminants have entered the water system after use by the population in recent years, such as drugs used to treat epilepsy, depression and cancer, it is claimed.

Along with human sewage contaminated with medicines and their by-products, there are rising levels of cosmetic products such as shower gels and musk perfumes, according to a report by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

But the experts say water treatment waste works are unable to remove all of these types of chemicals, so currently some contaminants remain in the water sources.

Although at trace levels can only now be analysed with modern techniques, there are concerns about substances such as drugs, with data already suggesting that urine contaminated by the female contraceptive pill is affecting fish, for example.

The report called Sustainable Water: Chemical Science Priorities, which will be launched at the Royal Society of Chemistry at Burlington House in London, calls for greater research into the effects of these contaminants.

Dr Jeff Hardy, Environment and Energy Manager of the society, said many medicines that pass through the body are being seen in the environment.

"There are substances like antidepressants, painkillers, beta blockers, anticancer drugs and antibiotics. Many are designed so they do not degrade in the human body so that they can fulfil their function. It seems they are not degrading once they get into the environment."

"There are several key questions that chemists, and other scientists, are working hard on answering. How are contaminants broken down? What are the products of that breakdown? What are the properties of these breakdown products? The basic chemistry of these reactions needs to be understood to minimise risks to human and environmental health."

But he stresses "the outlook is positive" and that there is a great opportunity for green product design.

"If we have a complete understanding of the environmental fate of contaminants then it is possible to design chemicals and products that are highly effective in their use, and at end of life, are reusable and/or recyclable or degrade quickly in the environment to products with minimal risk to human and environmental health."

Dr Hardy added: "Whilst many people might not be interested in what happens to their nice smelling shower gel after it has disappeared down the drain, chemists and employees of the water industry most certainly are. The chemical sciences will play a vital role in progressing us towards sustainable water management.

"This report tackles all of the big issues and makes 57 recommendations to those with the authority to act upon them. This represents an important first step in an RSC campaign and over the coming months and years will be will working very hard to bring these recommendations to reality."

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