PET WASTE
Our pets are like family to many of us. But they also produce a lot of waste that can be harmful to our health and water quality. Pet waste carries harmful bacteria and is a source of nutrients that fuel algal growth in our region’s water. Improperly disposed of pet waste is picked up by the flowing stormwater when it rains, or when snow melts. This stormwater washes down storm drains, where it travels untreated and unfiltered into our waterways, and ultimately into Lake Erie.
The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that more than 44% of American households have at least one dog. Here are some more numbers:
-
There are 62 million households in the United States that own a dog, for a total number of 85 million dogs.
-
Each dog produces on average 0.75 pounds of waste per day.
-
That means America's 85 million dogs produce over 63 million pounds of waste every single day. That is enough to fill nearly 12 Olympic-sized swimming pools!
Pet Waste and Bacteria
Pet waste can have a number of harmful pathogens that can be transmitted to humans and animals via stormwater. Below are just a few examples of the diseases, infections, and parasites that can come from improperly disposed of pet waste.
Salmonellosis: a bacterial infection that can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Toxocariasis: a roundworm parasite that is often without noticeable symptoms but can include vision loss, a rash, fever, or cough.
E. coli: a family of fecal bacterium that can cause diarrhea, stomach cramping, nausea, and vomiting.
Pet Waste and Nutrients
Beyond just causing serious health concerns, pet waste also contributes various nutrients to local waterways when the associated contaminants are picked up by stormwater when it rains.
After being picked up by stormwater, pet waste decomposes in that water and releases nutrients in a process called nutrient loading. These nutrients, which include nitrogen and phosphorus, can lead to imbalances that cause harmful algal blooms to develop.
Harmful algal blooms are a concern because they:
-
Are toxic to humans, pets, and wildlife.
-
Make water recreation dangerous.
-
Deplete available oxygen in the water, resulting in fish kills.
-
Cause overall damage to the aquatic ecosystem.
