Brian Barton
Dog waste is a nonpoint source of pollution, which means that it comes from many dispersed sources rather than a single identifiable source. Nonpoint source pollution is harder to identify and address than point-source pollution, which comes from a single place. Dog waste contains bacteria, parasites, and pathogens that can cause people to get sick and contaminate water sources. It is important for dog owners to pick up their dog's waste to prevent it from washing into waterways during rainstorms, which can cause water contamination and harm to aquatic habitats and life.
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What You'll Learn
Pick up after your dog
Dog waste is an environmental pollutant and a human health hazard. It can contain bacteria, parasites, and pathogens that can cause people to get sick. For example, micro-organisms such as roundworms, E. coli, and Giardia can persist in your yard for up to four years if dog waste is not picked up. Fecal coliform bacteria, commonly found in human and animal waste, is a common culprit associated with water contamination. Dog waste left on lawns, streets, sidewalks, or within any vicinity of a waterway can be washed downhill during rainstorms, directly entering waterways or passing through stormwater treatment plants before ending up in the ocean. Storm drains do not connect to treatment facilities, so the waste enters lakes, streams, and marine waters.
Therefore, it is essential to pick up after your dog. It is estimated that only about 60% of dog owners consistently pick up their pet's waste, which means a lot of waste is left lying around to be washed into our waters. Dog waste does not magically disappear; if it is not picked up, it washes into the closest water body with all the bacteria and pathogens.
There are many simple solutions to prevent nonpoint source pollution. The public can keep oils and chemicals out of local streams by utilizing and supporting local toxic drop-off sites, maintaining vehicles to reduce leaks, and never pouring any materials down a storm drain.
In urban areas, land development and impermeable pavement increase stormwater runoff, impacting the environment through downstream flooding, stream bank erosion, and increased nonpoint source pollution. Property owners can implement solutions like planting a rain garden to catch and infiltrate excess stormwater as it flows across their yards.
Additionally, it is important to properly dispose of dog waste after picking it up. There is mixed information about flushing dog waste down the toilet, as it depends on the sewage treatment processes and the amount and frequency of flushing. Therefore, it is recommended to check with your municipality before flushing dog waste.
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Dispose of dog waste properly
Dog waste is an environmental pollutant and a human health hazard. It can contain harmful bacteria, parasites, and pathogens that can cause people to get sick. These include E. coli, Giardia, and roundworms, which can survive in your yard for up to four years if the dog poop is not picked up. Dog waste is a nonpoint source pollutant, which means it does not come from a single identifiable source but from many dispersed sources, such as piles of waste left on lawns, streets, or sidewalks. During rainstorms, this waste washes downhill and either directly enters waterways or passes through stormwater treatment plants before ending up in the ocean.
To limit nonpoint source pollution from dog waste, it is essential to dispose of it properly. Here are some ways to do so:
- Scoop the poop: When walking your dog or even in your backyard, ensure you pick up after your dog. Do not leave it for someone else to do.
- Check with your local municipality: There may be specific guidelines or infrastructure in place for disposing of dog waste. For example, some areas may advise flushing dog waste down the toilet, but this depends on the sewage treatment processes in your area.
- Use designated waste bins: When walking your dog in public spaces, look for designated dog waste bins and dispose of the waste there.
- Composting: In some cases, dog waste can be composted, but it requires specific conditions and knowledge to do so safely. Research how to do it properly, or consult local experts or groups who can advise on best practices.
- Educate others: Spread awareness about the importance of proper dog waste disposal to encourage responsible pet ownership and environmental stewardship.
By disposing of dog waste properly, you can help reduce the impact of nonpoint source pollution on our waterways and the environment, as well as protect human health and well-being.
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Don't flush dog waste down the toilet
Dog waste is an environmental pollutant and a human health hazard. It can contain bacteria, parasites, and pathogens that can directly and indirectly make people sick. Fecal coliform bacteria, for example, can survive in your yard for up to four years if the dog poop is not picked up. This can contaminate water and cause human illnesses.
Flushing dog waste down the toilet is generally not recommended. Water treatment facilities are not designed to handle the pathogens in dog waste, which can contaminate waterways. Toxocara, for example, can infect humans and cause blindness in children. Parasites in dog waste can also survive water processing treatments and harm humans.
Flushing dog waste also risks clogging home pipes and sewers and jamming treatment plant equipment. While biodegradable and 'flushable' products are available, they do not disintegrate as claimed. They are designed to biodegrade in specific waste composting facilities, not in cold water.
To limit nonpoint source pollution from dog waste, it is important to pick up after your dog. Use a bag—preferably biodegradable—and throw the waste in the trash. Do not leave dog poop on the street, in your yard, or in a park.
In some places, dedicated dog waste bins are provided in popular dog-walking areas. You can also dispose of bagged dog waste in any public litter bin or your wheelie bin at home.
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Reduce the use of hard surfaces in urban areas
Urbanization increases the variety and amount of pollutants carried into bodies of water. This is due to the prevalence of hard surfaces in urban areas, such as streets and roofs, which do not allow rain and snowmelt to soak into the ground. Instead, they increase stormwater runoff, which carries pollutants such as oil, pet waste, pesticides, fertilisers, road salt, bacteria, and sediment into water sources.
To limit nonpoint source pollution from dog waste, it is important to reduce the use of hard surfaces in urban areas. This can be achieved through the implementation of LID/GI practices, which aim to preserve, restore, and create green spaces using soils, vegetation, and rainwater harvest techniques. By managing stormwater as close to its source as possible, LID practices can reduce the impact of built-up areas and promote the natural movement of water within an ecosystem.
One way to reduce the use of hard surfaces in urban areas is to incorporate more permeable surfaces, such as porous pavements, which allow water to infiltrate and reduce the volume of stormwater runoff. This can be combined with the use of bioretention facilities, rain gardens, vegetated rooftops, and rain barrels, which help to treat stormwater as a resource rather than waste.
Another strategy is to increase the number of green spaces and natural landscape features in urban areas. This can include planting streamside trees along water bodies, which support water quality by keeping water temperatures cool, filtering out pollutants, and stabilizing streambanks. Additionally, creating riparian corridors, or buffer zones between used land and streams, can further enhance the filtration of stormwater and protect against erosion.
By reducing the use of hard surfaces and incorporating more natural and permeable elements into urban design, communities can effectively limit nonpoint source pollution from dog waste and other contaminants. These practices not only improve water quality but also provide ecological benefits, such as habitat restoration and the promotion of natural water movement within ecosystems.
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Raise awareness about the issue
The first step in limiting nonpoint source pollution from dog waste is to raise awareness about the issue. Many people are unaware that dog waste is a significant source of pollution and can have harmful effects on the environment and human health. Educating the public about the impacts of dog waste left on the ground or washed into waterways is crucial.
One way to raise awareness is through public service announcements or campaigns. Creative and catchy campaigns, such as "Scoop the Poop: It's Your Environmental Doody," can help spread the message in a memorable way. Utilizing various media platforms, including social media, television, radio, and print, can ensure that the message reaches a wide audience.
Another effective strategy is to partner with local community organizations, schools, and environmental groups to host educational workshops, seminars, or community clean-up events. These events can provide hands-on learning and engagement, fostering a sense of collective responsibility for addressing the issue.
Additionally, distributing informative materials, such as flyers, brochures, or online resources, can help educate dog owners about the importance of picking up their pet's waste. Providing information about the environmental and health risks associated with dog waste pollution, as well as simple solutions like proper waste disposal and maintenance, can empower individuals to take action.
It is also essential to target specific groups, such as dog owners' associations, pet stores, and veterinary clinics, to ensure that the message reaches those who can make the most significant impact. Working collaboratively with these groups can help amplify the message and create a network of responsible dog owners who understand the importance of proper waste disposal.
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Frequently asked questions
Dog waste is considered nonpoint source pollution because it comes from many dispersed sources, such as piles of waste left on lawns, streets, sidewalks, or within any vicinity of a waterway.
Dog waste left on the ground can be washed into water bodies during rainstorms. Storm drains do not connect to a treatment facility, so the waste, along with its bacteria and pathogens, ends up in lakes, streams, and marine waters.
Dog waste can contain bacteria, parasites, and pathogens that can directly and indirectly cause people to get sick. Fecal coliform bacteria, commonly found in human and animal waste, is a common culprit associated with water contamination.
Dog owners can limit nonpoint source pollution from dog waste by simply picking up after their dogs.
