Monday, April 27, 2015
Clean Rivers Team Pollution Prevention

Scoop the Poop

Have you ever stopped to think that pet waste left on the ground contributes to water pollution? 





Pet waste contains bacteria and nutrients that can damage the quality of our rivers, streams, lakes and ponds.  When it rains, rainwater runoff can carry the pollutants from pet waste into a storm sewer.  Most of the water that goes into a storm sewer does not receive any treatment before it goes into a nearby water body.  So leaving pet waste on the ground is almost like dumping it directly into a water way.

Pet waste contains bacteria that can make rivers, lakes and streams unsafe for swimming or fishing.  The nutrients in pet waste contribute to the growth of algae that can reduce the level of oxygen in water -- oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need to live.

Pet waste may also contain parasites that can make people sick if they come into contact with it.

Picking up pet waste is the law in Fort Wayne, and it's the responsible thing to do to keep neighborhoods and streams clean.

Click here to learn more about pet waste pickup including three simple steps to cleaning up and disposing of pet waste.