Monthly Tip: July

Parades, pet waste and pollution

With the Fourth of July fireworks and parades often come reminders to keep your pets indoors, safe from the loud noises and crowds. This month we are asking you not only to think about keeping your pets safe but also to think about keeping your local waters safe from pet waste!



Pet waste doesn’t just decompose. When it’s not disposed of properly, it adds harmful bacteria and nutrients to local waters. And when left on a paved surface, dog waste becomes yet another contaminant that stormwater (the water you see flowing down the street during a heavy rain) can transport to local waters. When heavy rains wash down the sidewalk and street, and right over dog waste, they pick up particles of that waste. That stormwater then flows either directly to local waters such or down storm drains and then to your nearby waterways.

Fortunately, picking up after your pet is easy if you’re prepared. Simply carry a plastic bag with you on every walk with your dog, and you’ll have the equipment to remove your dog’s waste. Then throw it in the nearest trash can (never down a storm drain!), and you’re done. There are even compact, refillable bag dispensers that you can attach right to your dog’s leash.