In Long Island Sound, pet waste remains a major contributor to degraded water quality. This can pose a serious health risk to animals and people throughout the entire watershed – not just along the coast. When pet waste is not properly disposed of, it can wash away into lakes, streams, and, eventually, into Long Island Sound. As pet waste decays, it releases nitrogen and phosphorus into the water, which can increase harmful algae growth and deplete oxygen availability for living things. Additionally, pet waste contains ammonia – a toxic contaminant – along with bacteria and parasites that can make people and wildlife sick. In fact, one gram of dog waste (the weight of a business card) contains 23 million fecal coliform bacteria—almost twice as much as human waste. Woof!
Canines for Clean Water encourages responsible disposal of pet waste to ensure healthy water quality for everyone to enjoy.
For more information on how to participate in the Canines for Clean Water campaign, email Connecticut Outreach Coordinator Maggie Cozens at margaret.cozens@uconn.edu.
EPA Fact Sheet from the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
Pet waste is a leading source of nutrient and bacteria pollution in streams and waterways. With pet owners living in virtually all communities, pet waste management is a challenge. Learn more about how your municipality can address this issue using this fact sheet.
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