Environmental Tip #33

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Environmental Tip #33 explains that fecal coliform from one large dog can contain about 7.8 billion bacteria and that pet waste is a significant source of water pollution when carried by rain or snow runoff into storm drains. It gives disposal steps: always bring a plastic bag and use it as a glove to pick up and turn the bag inside out around the waste, dispose of the bag in a trash can, or flush un-bagged pet waste down the toilet. The tip explicitly warns not to place bagged or un-bagged pet waste in storm drains or hose it toward storm drains because they drain to the Corsica River Watershed, and it reminds readers that land actions affect the Corsica River and the Chesapeake Bay (www.corsicariver.org).

pet waste fecal coliform storm drains stormwater runoff Corsica River Chesapeake Bay pet waste disposal flush toilet

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ENVIRONMENTAL TIP #33
DID YOU KNOW dog waste from 1 large dog can contain 7.8 billion fecal coliform
bacteria?
Scooping your pooch’s poop isn’t just a courtesy; it is the healthy and
environmentally sound thing to do. Pet waste has been identified as a significant
source of water pollution. When pet waste is not properly disposed, it can be
carried by rain or snow runoff directly into nearby storm drains.
Untreated animal fecal matter and wastes can become a source of harmful bacteria
and nutrients in water.
Follow these easy steps to be part of the solution to pet waste pollution for the
Corsica River and the Chesapeake Bay:
1. Always bring a plastic bag when you walk your dog.
2. Use the bag as a glove to pick up the pet waste. Scoop up the waste and turn
the bag inside out around the waste.
3. Dispose of the bag in a trash can.
4. You can also flush un-bagged pet waste down the toilet.
5. Do not place the bagged or un-bagged pet waste in a storm drain or hose the
pet waste towards storm drains as they drain to the Corsica River
Watershed.
Always remember that what we do on land affects the Corsica River and the
Chesapeake Bay – www.corsicariver.org