Studies & Surveys
Pharmaceuticals
Clear Water Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
Pharmaceuticals enters Higgins Lake from multiple sources.
These include septic systems, stormwater and shoreline runoff, fertilizers and yard waste, and natural recycling within the lake itself. Even when the water looks clear, phosphorus can be building up in ways that are not immediately visible.
How pharmaceuticals enter Higgins Lake
When people take medications, small amounts pass through the body. In areas without sewer systems, these compounds can move from septic systems into groundwater, which then feeds Higgins Lake through springs.
What testing has shown
- In September 2022, water samples were collected from multiple near-shore locations around Higgins Lake
- Testing was conducted by Michigan State University under the supervision of Professor Li
- Results confirmed the presence of pharmaceutical compounds in lake water
- Because Higgins Lake is largely groundwater-fed, these findings demonstrate a connection between septic systems, groundwater, and the lake
Why this matters
- Pharmaceuticals are invisible and do not affect water clarity
- Their presence signals how easily substances can move from septic systems into groundwater
- According to Central Michigan District Health Department, this raises important questions about potential exposure pathways, including drinking water wells
"Since Higgins Lake is predominantly spring fed, the presence of pharmaceuticals in the lake water reinforces the connection that onsite sewage disposal has with groundwater and the lakes."