Pet waste is harmful for the environment, humans, and animals. When protecting our watershed, picking up after your pets is extremely important. According to the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District (PDF), a single gram of dog waste contains an average of 23 million fecal coliform bacteria that can threaten the health of animals and people. Stormwater can cause pet waste to be washed into our storm drain system. Potential diseases can be spread through pet waste making their way into our streams or lakes.
Pet waste can carry a wide array of pathogens that are harmful to the environment. There are excess nutrients in pet waste that make their way into our local waters, creating algal blooms and excessive weed growth. Algae growth creates unsafe water that is not fit for swimming, boating, or fishing. Pet waste also decays in our waterways, releasing ammonia that can lead to warmer water temperatures that kill local fish and other aquatic life.
The negative effects of pet waste, however, can mostly be avoided by picking up after your pet. Follow the simple idea today: Rule Number 1 is Pick Up Number 2! Doing the right thing is easy. Pick up after your pet every time you take them out. It only takes a minute to scoop the poop with a plastic bag and toss it in the garbage. To learn more about picking up your dog’s waste, visit Rule #1 is Pick Up #2 today!