This year’s spring cleaning list should include picking up pet waste to prevent water quality contamination in the South Washington Watershed District.
Pet waste is considered pollution, and when not picked up, it can negatively impact water quality. Waste from pets contains nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as pathogens and disease-causing bacteria. But what does this mean for water quality?
When winter snow and ice melt away, the melt flows across the land and eventually enters streams, rivers, lakes, or storm drains, taking pollution with it. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from pet waste entering a waterbody can cause eutrophication, or the overgrowth of aquatic plants and algae, and a reduction of oxygen in water. This can impact the ability of fish and other aquatic life to respirate, resulting in a “fish kill”, where there is a mass die-off of aquatic life in a waterbody (USGS). Excessive nutrients can also fuel the growth of cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, which is hazardous to animals and humans.
Pet waste can also introduce pathogens and disease-causing bacteria like E. Coli. into water. This can make water recreation activities like swimming and boating hazardous and result in recreational beach closures.
There are some misconceptions about pet waste acting as a natural fertilizer, like horse or cow manure. However, dog waste is not beneficial for lawns and gardens. Horses and cows are herbivores, meaning they eat a plant-exclusive diet which creates nutrient-rich waste that is good for growing plants. A dog’s diet typically consists of protein-dense foods that result in waste that is acidic and full of harmful bacteria and parasites. This is why pet waste can leave a brown spot in the grass. In general, pet waste is better suited for industrial composting rather than at-home compost.
So how do you prevent water contamination from pet waste?
- Always pick up your pet waste, in public and in your yard. Pet waste negatively impacts water quality.
- Properly dispose of pet waste. Local ordinance directs pet waste should be disposed of in the trash (Washington County Disposal Directory). If you’re not sure, check with your trash provider and your city or county.