The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of pharmaceuticals and personal care products' (PPCP) removal in the waterworks at Káraný (Czech Republic) and Dresden-Hosterwitz (Germany). Both waterworks use similar technology of drinking water production (combination of bank filtration and artificial recharge) and have similar river water quality (Jizera and Elbe river).
A comparison of 2-year monitoring results shows high efficiency of removing PPCP contained in river water. However, at both waterworks, there are groups of substances for which natural treatment steps alone are not sufficient.
In the case of Káraný, it is benzotriazole, sulfamethoxazole, and methylparaben; in the Dresden waterworks, it is oxypurinol, sulfamethoxazole, carbamazepine, and lamotrigine.