HomeMy Public PortalAboutPet Waste BrochureThe Connection to Water I lity
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Pet waste left in our yards
comes into contact with
storm water when it rains. /
The storm water becomes //�� /
contaminated from contact with pet
waste and carries pollutants into the
storm sewer system. The storm
sewers quickly drain the water directly
to our area streams without any
treatment.
Facts About Pet Waste
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Dogs are major contributors to pet
waste in our environment. However,
all pets can contribute to the problem.
The estimated number of dogs and
cats in the St. Louis area is 700,000.
The amount of feces produced by
these pets is estimated to be
equivalent to the sewage produced by
a large municipality. Studies from
other cities indicate that one third of
people who walk their dogs do not pick
up after their dog.
Pollutants Associated With
Pet Waste
Bacteria — One gram of dog feces
contains 23 million fecal coliform bac-
teria.
Oxygen demand - As waste decays, it
uses up the oxygen in the water that fish
need.
Nutrients - Ammonia and nitrogen in the
waste promotes unhealthy algae growth.
This brochure is sponsored by the
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, St.
Louis County government, and 59
municipalities to advance the goals of
the Phase II Storm Water Management
Plan developed for St. Louis County.
• For more information about pet waste
and its impact on the environment,
you can visit the following web
sites:
,itt
USEPA
Public Education —
Pet Waste Management
http://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/
menuofbmps
Stormwater Manager's Resource
Center
http://www.stormwatercenter.net/Polluti
on_PreventionFactsheets/AnimalWast
eCollection.htm
MARC
http://www.marc.org/environment/water/
pdfs/petwastebro. pdf
or you can contact:
NISEI
pr 0 ect MSD-Division of
c[ ear Environmental Compliance
(314) 436-8712
stormwate,
Help Wotect-
Water Quality in
St. i.ou.is
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Is There A Problem With Pet
Waste?
Water quality sampling of streams in all
St. Louis area watersheds has found
elevated bacteria levels in 100% of wet
weather samples.
Significant Sources of Bacteria
➢ Pets
➢ Humans
➢ Wildlife
Studies cited by the USEPA have found
that urban storm water contains
significant quantities of bacteria from
nonhuman sources.
Health Risks
Dog and cat feces must be handled
carefully because it contains bacteria,
viruses and parasites that can infect
humans and cause serious illness. The
pathogens in pet waste include:
Cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia,
Salmonella, Toxocariasis, and Toxo-
plasmosis.
Always wash your hands after handling
pet waste. Do not place pet waste in
compost piles or around vegetable
gardens where pathogens can o000
contaminate food products. g
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What Is The Solution?
Pet Owners
Acceptable pet waste management
options for pet owners include:
• Put waste in a sealed bag and
place in the trash.
• Flush down the toilet. (Do not
flush plastic bags or kitty litter.)
• Bury waste in the soil at least 6
inches deep. (Do not bury in the
garden.)
• Minimize pollution by having pets
defecate in tall grass (>4 inches)
located away from storm inlets,
since the grass acts as a filter and
allows for natural decomposition.
Comply with City Ordinances
Many cities have ordinances and post
signs requiring the clean up of pet waste.
Please be an advocate to encourage
additional cities to take action.
Sewer System Improvements
MSD is working hard to provide sewer
service and storm water management to
protect the public's health and safety.
• MSD has a major multi -decade
capital improvement program to
address wet weather overflows, and
improve storm water management.
• MSD is enhancing efforts to identify
and eliminate illicit connections and
illegal discharges of wastewater to
the storm water system.
• MSD is committed to educating
the public on ways to improve water
quality.
As an individual, you are being asked to
join in the effort to protect water quality
by responsibly taking care of your pets'
waste. You can demonstrate your
commitment by signing the Pet Waste
Pledge Card below.
1
Pet Waste Pledge Card
I pledge to do my part to protect water
quality in St. Louis by:
• Picking up after my pet.
❑ Properly disposing of pet waste in the
trash, toilet or by burying it.
❑ Encouraging others in my community
to do the same.
Signed