Prevent water pollution by cleaning up after pets

MIDDLETOWN — Let’s face it — no one likes to pick up after their pet. But what’s grosser than picking up dog poop? Stepping in it. And what’s even grosser than that? Swimming in, fishing from, or drinking water with dog poop in it.

So, what happens when you leave your pet’s waste on the ground? When rain or snow melt runs over the land it can carry pollutants like uncollected pet waste directly, or by way of storm drains into nearby streams, lakes, ponds or wetlands.

This polluted stormwater runoff, also called nonpoint source pollution, can degrade water quality and impair aquatic health. Leaving pet waste on the ground will risk contaminating nearby streams, lakes, beaches, your yard, neighborhood, local parks or even drinking water supplies, and can make waters unsuitable for recreation.

When fecal bacteria are detected in water samples collected from rivers, lakes, reservoirs and more, researchers can use a DNA-fingerprinting technique called microbial source tracking to determine the source of the waste, such as cows, dogs, horses, waterfowl or humans. Often, dogs are found to be one of the major contributors of waste. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration estimates that, on average, one dog produces ¾ lbs of waste in one day. That means one dog’s waste equals 5.25 lbs a week; 21 lbs a month; and 252 lbs a year.

Multiply that by nearly 90 million, a recent estimate of the number of dogs in the U.S. — now that’s a serious potential pollution problem.

Pet waste may seem natural, but it is the source of two types of pollutants: pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms), which have a direct effect on human health; and nutrients, which harm our environment. Pathogens, including Giardia, roundworms, Salmonella and parvovirus, can end up in our water and pose a health risk.

Leaving pet waste anywhere on the ground may expose children, adults and other pets to diseases. There is also a real risk of getting sick from drinking or swimming in waters contaminated by pet waste.

Nutrients in pet waste, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, can promote runaway growth of algae and aquatic weeds, and impact the health and quality of our waters, making them murky, green and smelly. When the plants decompose, they also use up oxygen needed by fish and other aquatic organisms to live.

It’s up to us to stop pet waste pollution, and the associated health and environmental risks by following these simple, but important steps:

Bring it: Always bring a plastic bag or two when taking dogs out for a walk.

Bag it: Use the bag as a glove to scoop the waste, then turn the bag inside out and seal it. It’s a good idea to carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer to use when done bagging, or simply wash with soap and water.

Dispose of it: Place the bag in a trash can. Or, flush the waste, unbagged, down a toilet, but not if you have a septic system. Never dispose of pet waste in a storm drain, as it will be carried, untreated, to a local waterway. Pet waste can also be buried carefully at least 5 feet deep, away from vegetable gardens or waterways.

Thank you for helping prevent water pollution and the risk of exposure to harmful pathogens by picking up after your pet.

Editor’s note: A version of this article was first published in the Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District newsletter in 2019. For copies of a brochure, “Pet Waste, Water Quality and Your Health,” please contact the office at 860-346-3282.