Last week, we highlighted the alarming report from the AP that found pharmaceutical compounds in the drinking water of 40 million Americans. Although a Seattle comedian calls it "a clever way to tap into the drug supply,." it's enough to get you worried. Given the increased reliance on medications, sewage treatment inadequate to remove these compounds, and improper drug disposal, our streams and rivers are going to continue to be a drug soup for a while.

So, what are some of the solutions? Here are two to start:

• Make the Environmental Protection Agency finish their requirement to screen these compounds for their effects on humans - According to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), EPA has missed numerous deadlines to test for endocrine disrupting compounds as required by federal law since 1996. Drinking water suppliers should be testing for the compounds - the AP report revealed that only some are doing so.

• Improve drug disposal - 54% of Americans throw unused drugs in the trash where they can leach into groundwater supplies from landfills. Another 35% of Americans and many medical facilities flush unused drugs down the toilet and directly into local waterways. Drug take back programs at pharmacies collect unused drugs and dispose of them safely, usually through incineration. While these programs can't eliminate pharmaceutical compounds excreted by humans, it is the easiest and most cost-effective way to begin tackling the problem. The Teleosis Institute has created safe disposal sites in California and others are starting as well.

What are your recommendations?