Pollution Profile: Pet Waste

What's the problem with pet waste? We're so glad you asked! Pet waste is double the trouble for stormwater because it has bacteria AND nutrients. Just a pea-sized amount of pet waste can have over 23 million bacteria like E. coli, salmonella, giardia, fecal streptococcus, and campylobacter and also transmit parasites and viruses. Since the average dog produces 3/4ths of a pound of waste a day, that equates to 340 peas or 7.8 billion fecal bacteria.

Pet waste is also high in nutrients, like nitrogen. Nitrogen helps plants grow, but too much nitrogen can cause problems, especially in our water bodies. Lots of nitrogen can feed lots of algae, resulting in an algal bloom. Algal blooms can make the water unhealthy to swim or fish in. Algal blooms can also make the water unhealthy for other plants and animals to live in by blocking sunlight and starting a chain of events call eutrophication.

Keeping pet waste out of our water by always scooping the poop keeps us healthy and safe the next time we want to enjoy a local swimming spot.