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Waste and Water Quality
Are you polluting
lakes, streams and Long Island Sound?
Pet waste left to decay
on the sidewalk, or grass near the street, may be washed
into storm drains by rain and snow melt. Water entering
storm sewers does not receive treatment before it goes
to our water resources. All storm water in the City eventually
Flows to Echo Bay and Long Island Sound. Many substances
deposited on the land cause pollution in our waters including:
Pesticides Household
Chemicals
Fertilizers Oil and Antifreeze
Pet Waste
Rubber from Tires
When pet waste is washed
into storm drains, the waste decays, using up oxygen and
sometimes releasing ammonia. Low oxygen levels and ammonia
combined with warm temperatures can kill fish and make
water unfit for swimmers.
Pet waste also contains
nutrients that encourage weed and algae growth. Overly
fertile water becomes cloudy and green—unattractive
for swimmers, boating and fishing. Excess nutrients are
a major cause of the decline of water quality in Long
Island Sound.
Perhaps most importantly,
pet waste may carry disease-causing organisms, which make
water unsafe for swimming. When pet waste is disposed
of improperly, not only does water quality suffer, your
health may be at risk to. Pets, children playing outside,
and adults gardening are most at risk for infection from
some of the bacteria found in pet waste.
You can make a difference!
Cleaning up after your pet
can be as simple as taking a plastic bag or pooper scooper
along on your next pet walk. Here are two choices for
proper disposal of pet waste:
1. The water in your
toilet goes to the sewage treatment plant that removes
most pollutants before the water reaches Long Island
Sound. To prevent plumbing problems, don’t try
to flush debris such as rocks and sticks or cat litter.
Cat feces may be scooped out of boxes and flushed down
the toilet, but used cat litter should be put in the
trash, wrapped securely in a closed bag.
2. If you put your pet
waste in the trash, wrap it securely so it will not
spill during trash collection.
This
information was taken from the United States Environmental
Protection Agency website. Additional information may
be obtained by browsing their website at http://www.epa.gov
or the internet in general.
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