I wanted to share this important update that underlines how essential it is for pet owners to pick up after their pet and for your community in the Mystic River Watershed and others to provide measures to encourage and enforce this practice. I trust that your community is doing all it can to encourage pet-owners to pick up and properly dispose of pet waste.
Did you know that “dog poop is 57 percent more toxic than human waste, and can harbor bacteria and parasites that cause illness in humans? It has been estimated that an ounce of dog waste can contain 650 million fecal coliform bacteria.” Pet waste left on the sidewalk or grass may run off into a storm drain – and therefore into our rivers and lakes. This bacteria poses a public health risk and deteriorates water quality. “The EPA has estimated that two to three days’ worth of dog poop from a neighborhood with about a hundred dogs would contribute enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay, and all watersheds within 20 miles of it, to swimming and shellfishing.”
As you can see, pet waste is a serious threat to our local water quality – and one that can be easily addressed by pet owners, neighbors and your community’s regulations. Read more here: from eco RI news.
Have a wonderful holiday season and thank you for all that you do on behalf of your community in the Mystic River Watershed and beyond.
From MyRWA’s Clean Water Campaign.
www.mysticriver.org