As more of us flock to this region, we create new challenges for its environment and put added pressure on its lakes. All this has consequences for the area's lakes. Development brings more pavement, sending runoff directly to lakes through storm sewers and removing vegetation that slows and filters runoff. Leaving shorelines in a natural state helps preserve water quality, yet owners of lakeshore too often remove the natural cover. More development creates more need for wastewater treatment.
Septic systems continue to be widely used in dispersed development.
But with the spread of septics comes increased potential for contaminating surface and ground waters. Some lake areas have become too densely developed for septic systems to be viable any longer. Extending sewers and wastewater treatment to developing areas can ease such problems. Yet sewers also allow denser development, packing driveways, fertilized lawns, roofs and roads closer together around lakes. This creates yet more runoff problems.