Picking Up
Every time it rains, thousands of pounds of pet waste left outside wash down storm drains and carry disease-causing organisms into our local water bodies that can impact water quality and make the water unsafe for drinking. Harmful bacteria and nutrients from pet waste can turn fertile waters green from weed and algae growth. This can cause the water to become unattractive and unsafe for swimming, boating and fishing. There are several, easy ways to dispose of your pet’s waste.
Viewer Tip: According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are approximately 77.5 million owned dogs in the United States and 24 percent of dog-owners own two dogs. If you are a dog owner, remember to always pick up after your pet to protect our water quality. There are easy ways to dispose of pet waste safely:
- Flush pet waste down the toilet (flush only the pet waste…not the bag!). Toilet water undergoes treatment that removes most of the pollutants before reaching a lake or a stream.
- Bury pet waste in the yard. Dig a hole or a trench about five-inches deep. Keep pet waste away from vegetable gardens, drinking water sources and wells.
- Put pet waste in the trash (if allowed locally). Make sure it is wrapped carefully so it does not spill during trash collection.
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
(Source: Think Blue Maine, http://www.thinkbluemaine.org/, University of Maryland – College Park Home and Garden Information Center, The Humane Society of the United States, www.hsus.org)
