Pet Waste

Black dog in woods

You identified pet waste as an environmental problem in your community.

Why is this a problem?

When it rains, pet waste is picked up by rainwater as it flows over the land. The polluted rainwater goes down storm drains and into our lakes, streams, and rivers.

Animal waste contains pathogens, which are organisms that can make people sick. When there are too many of these pathogens in the water, beaches will close to protect human health. Pathogens are one of the leading causes of water quality problems in the United States.

Animal waste also is a source of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) that can lead to excessive algae growth.


What Actions Can You Take?