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Residues of pharmaceuticals contaminate water bodies and soils worldwide. They have also been detected in groundwater and, in some cases, even in drinking water. Human pharmaceuticals enter wastewater primarily through human excretion and then pass through sewage treatment plants into water bodies. Due to increasing pharmaceutical consumption, environmental pollution is expected to rise.

Surface water quality was considerably improved in recent decades in Germany. Nevertheless, hazardous substances are still emitted into surface waters. Reducing emissions is mandatory. Where do the pollutants originate? Where are emission hotspots? Which measures are efficient? In order to answer these questions, integrated modelling tools have to be applied.