Evaluation of the presence of drugs of abuse in tap waters

► The presence of non-controlled drugs (i.e. caffeine, nicotine, cotinine) at trace levels in tap waters from worldwide was demonstrated. ► The presence of illicit drugs of abuse in worldwide tap waters is marginal with levels usually around the limit of the quantification. ► Cocaine benzoylecgonine, methadone and EDDP were the most frequently detected in tap waters from sub-ng L−1 to few ng L−1.