When Pet Waste is Left on the Ground, Our Water is Affected
How serious a problem is pet waste?
- Decayed pet waste seeps into the ground, sending E. coli, a bacteria that lives in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, and potential pathogens into the ground water and eventually waterways.
- Rainwater run-off may wash contaminated pet waste into storm sewers and from there into lakes, rivers and streams.
What is the problem?
- The current No. 1 water pollution problem comes from nonpoint source pollution.
- Nonpoint source pollution means the pollutants come from several sources instead of one discharge point.
- Nonpoint pollution occurs away from waterways, so many people do not realize they are contributing to water pollution.
- Pet owners do not pick up and properly dispose of their pets' waste.
- Cars leak fluids such as oil or antifreeze on the pavement.
- Property owners do not follow directions and put too much fertilizer on their lawns.
- People wash their cars in their driveways or on the streets.
- The rainwater will wash the pollutants into storm sewers.
- The pollution will be carried - untreated - to the nearest body of water.
What can I do?
- Scoop up pet waste.
- Flush the waste - as long as it isn't mixed in with litter or other material - so that it is properly treated before it is disposed of.
- If local law allows, contain the waste in a plastic bag and toss it in your trash.
- If your community does not regulate the disposal of pet waste, encourage your town board, city council or county government to enact new laws.
- If your local parks do not provide pet waste stations, encourage them to do so.
Where can I get more information?
For more information, you may contact the Indiana Department of Environmental Management at (317) 232-8172 or visit IDEM's Web site at http://www.in.gov/idem/.
A Great Lakes Information Network Partner