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     Michigan is unique, not just because you can show somebody where you live on your hand. It is our intimate association with the the Great Lakes-Even the name comes from an Ojibway word meaning "big water."
     Most of us live within a short drive to one of the Great Lakes and usually within walking distance to a nearby stream, river or inland lake. Water in Michigan is abundant, cleaner than it was years ago but not as pure as it could be. Wherever we are in the State or in the Great Lakes region we should be concerned about the emerging issue of trace amounts of pharmaceutical compound showing up in our surface, ground water and municipal water systems.
     According to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality studies throughout the US have revealed the presence of trace amounts of pharmaceutical compounds in surface and ground water. Pharmaceutical contamination of water has a negative impact on the aquatic ecosystem including fish, birds and other wildlife.
     A study by the US Geological Survey concluded that 80% of  streams sampled contained detectable levels of compounds found in common medications.
According to the DEQ, wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove or process many compounds found in medications that end up being discharged into our surface and ground water.
     Even if you live in a more remote area, you are not immune to potential problems. Your drinking water may be affected. Many medications including antibiotics, can destroy the beneficial bacteria necessary for a septic system to operate properly.
     The Great Lakes contain over 95% of all surface freshwater in the US. We should be leading the way in promoting comprehensive solutions to collecting and properly disposing of unused/expired drugs so as to keep them out of our water.
     Working together we can!!!!!
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