Pet Waste Pollutes

Did you know? Just 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!

Pet waste is a seemingly small source of pollution that can have a big impact on water quality. When it rains, pet waste left on lawns, beaches, trails, parks, and sidewalks washes into storm drains. The bacteria and nutrients in your pet’s poop will end up flowing directly to nearby streams, rivers, and lakes, eventually reaching Long Island Sound. Once it reaches waterways, pet waste can harm humans and the environment by fueling the growth of toxic algae and making the water unswimmable, unfishable, and unenjoyable!

Take the Clean Water Pledge and commit to a healthy Long Island Sound watershed by properly disposing of your pet’s waste.

Tips for Pet Waste Disposal

• Always scoop the poop! Clean up after your pet using appropriate baggies. You can often find them at pet waste eliminator stations located around public parks and trails.
• Clean up pet waste as soon as possible so that it doesn’t attract flies or pests.
• Toss your used baggies in trash bins and pet waste receptacles. Make sure trash bins are not overflowing.
• Do not bury or compost your pet’s waste. This can cause pollution of surface and ground water and cause an unpleasant smell.

Want to learn more? Visit our Canines for Clean Water webpage and see how you can get involved.

Clean Water and a Healthy Sound Start at Home and in your Community!