Recent studies have shown that pet waste is a significant contributor to bacterial contamination in area waterways after a storm. Storm water carries pet waste and other pollutants directly into area streams, rivers and bays. And unlike modern sewer systems, storm water does not receive any treatment prior to discharging into our waterways. Storm drains are designed to carry storm water only, but ultimately, they carry whatever we leave on the land.

Case Study

A case in point is the polluted Lynnhaven River in Virginia. Some of its waters had been closed to oyster and clam harvesting since the 1930s. Using techniques that were not available in past generations such as DNA testing, scientists found up to one fourth of the fecal coliform in the polluted river was from pet waste. A campaign was launched to raise awareness on the importance of cleaning up after dogs particularly BEFORE rain or watering washes it into storm drains. Result: in February 2008 the state health department found the river clean enough to reopen 1,450 acres to oyster and clam harvesting.

In addition, Virginia’s poop-scooping campaign to educate dog owners on the importance of weekly lawn clean up lowered the population of flies and other pest insects that constitute another vector for disease transmission.

Summary

Pet waste degrades water quality, by contributing excess nutrients, leading to cloudy, green water from accelerated algae and weed growth, objectionable odors, and the death of fish.

Reasons to Scoop

• Storm water carries pet waste and other pollutants directly into waterways.
• Animal waste adds nitrogen to the water. Excess nitrogen depletes the oxygen in the water that is necessary for underwater life.
• Animal waste contains harmful organisms such as that can be transmitted to other animals and humans.
• Roundworms and hookworms deposited by infected animals can live in the soil for long periods of time and can be transmitted to other animals.
• No one likes to step in pet waste and spread it into their home, car or business.

Let Sgt Poopers^® clean up dog waste in your yard BEFORE it rains, to prevent run-off into storm drains. Your home may be miles from the Trinity, but the river starts in your own backyard.