Preventing Pollution from Pet Waste

The Poop PROBLEM: Dog poop spreads diseases to people and pets

Pet waste contains harmful bacteria, which can contaminate water and make people and pets sick. Pet owners might be surprised to learn that in Snohomish County alone, dogs produce more than 63 tons of poop every day!

All that pet waste can harbor 135 trillion harmful fecal bacteria -- including E. coli, giardia, parvovirus, worms and other pathogens. Water quality studies show that many of the rivers and streams that run through our neighborhoods and cities now have high levels of bacterial pollution.

When fecal bacteria levels are high:

• People and pets are more exposed to infectious diseases
• Waterways can become unsafe for swimming or fishing
• Shellfish beds are closed to harvesting
• Other aquatic life can be endangered

 

The Poop SOLUTION: Scoop the poop, bag it and put it in the trash!

Why is this the best disposal method? Because landfills are designed to safely keep pet waste contained, monitored and out of our streams.

For healthy people, pets and waterways, AVOID these less effective methods:

• Composting: Yard waste bins and compost piles do not get hot enough to destroy harmful organisms.
• Flushing waste down the toilet: This method is generally not practical and will overload a septic system.
• Burying waste or using anaerobic digesters: These allow pathogens and excess nutrients to contaminate soils and streams.