Problems With Pet Waste

Throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed pet waste left on sidewalks and grassy areas is washed into storm drains or washed directly to waterways by rain or melting snow. Contrary to what many people think, runoff channeled through storm drains does not go to a sewage treatment plant. Storm drains channel polluted runoff carrying many contaminants—including pet waste—directly into our local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay.

Pet waste contains excess nutrients and disease-causing organisms, which make water unsafe for swimming or drinking.  When there's too much bacteria in the water, both people and pets can get sick from swimming and wading in the water. Health officials routinely close beaches to swimming when bacteria counts spike. 

It has been estimated that a single gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, which are known to cause cramps, diarrhea, intestinal illness, and serious kidney disorders in humans. EPA estimates that two or three days’ worth of droppings from a population of about 100 dogs would contribute enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay, and all watershed areas within 20 miles of it, to swimming and shell fishing.  Dog feces are one of the most common carriers of the following diseases:  Heartworms; Whipworms; Hookworms; Roundworms; Tapeworms; Parvo; Corona; Giardiasis; Salmonellosis; Cryptosporidiosis; and Campylobacteriosis.

Dog feces ruin the water with bacteria and nutrients, a problem that can be prevented by simply properly picking up and disposing of animal waste.  No solution is perfect for cleaning up pet waste, but choices include: flushing it down the toilet; burying it in the yard; and putting it in the trash.   

In a survey of Chesapeake Bay residents, it was found that about 40% of households own a dog. Just about half of these dog owners actually walked their dog in public areas. Of the half that did walk their dog, about 60% claimed to pick up after their dog, which is generally consistent with other studies. Men were found to be less prone to pick up after their dog than women.

Residents seem to be of two minds when it comes to dog waste. While a strong majority agreed that dog waste can be a water quality problem, they generally rank it as the least important local water quality problem. This finding strongly suggests the need to dramatically improve watershed education efforts to increase public recognition about the water quality and health consequences of dog waste. 

Source: http://www.stormwatercenter.net/Pollution_Prevention_Factsheets/AnimalWasteCollection.htmLimitations