Pet Owners Go Green

Contributed by Julie Dickens of DoodyCalls.com

A growing number of environmentalists and watershed specialists believe dog feces is a key contributor to water pollution. Other sources of pollutants are motor oil and pesticides. Over 40 percent of America’s streams, lakes and creeks are classified as unfit for swimming or drinking.

Studies of the water pollution from fecal waste show that nearly 20 percent of it comes from dogs. Pet waste accumulates on surfaces such as streets, sidewalks and lawns where it can be readily washed into storm drains and into the nearest stream, creek or lake.

"If you've got 1,000 dogs near a little stream, you’re going to have a problem" said Norman Goulet, senior environmental planner with the Northern Virginia Planning District Commission, in Dan Eggen's article "Creek Pollution Pinned on Pooches- Animal Waste Seen as Likely Culprit."

What is a watershed? Everyone lives in a watershed, an area that catches rain and snow, which is then drained into a common body of water. A watershed can be any size, depending on the size of drainage area. For example, in a city the gutters that run along the curb are the first part of a neighborhood’s drainage system. The water in the gutters, which drain the small watershed of neighborhoods, flows into the storm drain system and is emptied into a nearby stream. The stream, which receives storm water drainage from streets from several neighborhoods, is part of a larger watershed. In turn, that stream flows into a larger river. This means that pollution in any watershed can affect the quality of the receiving water body.

In North Central Texas the estimated dog population is 1.2 million. The average dog produces three to four pounds of waste daily, according to the Food and Drug Administration. That's about 900,000 pounds of dog poop produced every day in North Texas.

Whether it’s on land or in water, pollution from dog waste poses health hazards to humans, as well as other pets. Dog waste contains coliform bacteria. Human illnesses that can result from fecal coliform ingestion include ear infections, typhoid fever, dysentery and even hepatitis.

The North Central Texas Council of Governments Environmental and Developmental Department is working to protect our water quality. North Texas residents are being challenged to take a pledge and “DOO the Right Thing. “ By taking this pledge, families commit to “DOO the right thing” for the love of their pet. By picking up after their pets, they commit to protecting our water quality and maintaining a clean and healthy environment. One dog and one owner can make a difference by taking this pledge:

1. Picking up after their pet when going on walks in their neighborhood or in parks.
2. Picking up the backyard on a regular basis.
3. Disposing the wastes in the garbage or by flushing it down the toilet (http://www.nctcog.org/).

Those residents who take the pledge can enter their dogs in a Top Dog Photo Contest. The top winner will receive a free pet waste disposal system. Visit http://www.nctcog.org/ for more information.

The estimated dog population in the Grand Prairie area is 30,000. On average a dog produces three to four pounds of waste a day. In Grand Prairie alone, 11 tons of dog waste is dropped each day. If the waste is not disposed of properly, it can severely pollute our water sources.

A single gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal coliform bacteria. If we don’t pick up our pet’s waste it washes into storm drains, which feeds into the nearest creek. In Plano, these waterways flow to water sources such as Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Lavon and Lake Lewisville. “Living downstream” from someone now has a new meaning. Bacteria accumulations can hurt not just our community, but many others as it travels from our yards and parks to those downstream.

The Dallas Storm Water Management launched a media campaign to educate the public. The campaign targets residents and businesses that, while often unaware of their polluting behaviors, are willing to change if given solutions. The campaign focuses on facts surrounding household products that are common pollutants, as well as the simple, daily actions residents can take to help prevent storm water pollution.

Over 900,000 storm drains in Dallas carry water and its pollutants directly into the nearest water source. Visit www.wheredoesitgo.com/watershed_map to see who you live down stream from! This map shows 38 watersheds in the City of Dallas, track your water source!

North Texas cities are cracking down on illegal dumping into storm sewers or creek systems. Grand Prairie, Plano, Abilene, Irving, and Carrollton are among those cities that are cracking down on water pollution. They all have storm water prevention programs that are targeting residents that have pets.

It is important to educate the public about what they can do to help protect our water sources. If all dog owners simply cleaned up after their dog each day, it wouldn't matter. But several studies have found that roughly 40% of Americans don't pick up their dogs' feces (women are more likely to do so than men).

Every time we turn around, we hear about how we should "be green." Do your part. The next time you take your pooch for a walk, clean up after him! It’s easy to do. Make a difference and be green; by cleaning up after your pet, your making a difference for humans, pets and aquatic life.

DoodyCalls is a premier pet waste removal service. Got poop, we scoop! We offer weekly, every-other-week, once a month, and one time cleanings. We can help you go green! For more information go to http://www.doodycalls.com/ or call 1.800.DoodyCalls.

Contact information:

Plano: To report illegal dumping into the storm sewer or creek system, please call Plano’s storm water hotline at 972-941-7184. After hours, call 911. You can also visit www.planotx.org/water for more information.

City of Dallas: If you see someone illegally dumping anything into the storm drains, please call 311. Visit www.dallascityhall.com/dallas/eng/html/storm_water_management.html. Let your children visit http://www.trinity-trudy.org/.

Carrollton: 972-466-3060 http://www.cityofcarrollton.com/

Irving: Texas Clean Rivers Program web page http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/compliance/monitoring/crp/index.html