Responsible Pet Ownership and Prevention of Non-Point Source Water Pollution
Non-point source (NPS) pollution is
contamination that reaches our creeks from everyday activities such
as fertilizing the lawn, walking pets, changing motor oil and
littering. With each rainfall, pollutants generated by these
activities are washed from streets and lawns into the storm drains
that flow to our creeks. You can help prevent NPS
pollution.
Pet Waste
As a pet owner you can establish habits that will help
keep our creeks free of pollutants. Animal wastes contain bacteria,
viruses and nutrients. These constituents will lower water quality
in our creeks. Walk your pets in grassy areas, parks or undeveloped
areas. Take a plastic bag or pooper scooper along on your walk and
pick up your pet's waste. What should you do with the waste that
you pick up? You may flush it down the toilet, bury it in the
yard (don't add it to your compost pile) or put it in the trash.
Pollutants from improper disposal of pet waste may wash into the
creeks through the storm drainage system. YOU can make a
difference!
Flea Dip Disposal
Do not pour flea dip solutions on the driveways or into
the street. Liquid on hard surfaces will likely enter the storm
drainage system and flow to the nearby creek. Flea dips
usually contain an insecticide that can harm aquatic life.
If you are applying an insecticide to
your lawn for flea control, be sure that no rain is forecast for
the next several days. Rain can wash the insecticide off your lawn
and into the storm drainage system.
Solutions that contain pyrethrins as
the active ingredient may be disposed of in the sanitary sewer,
flushing with plenty of water. Dipping solutions containing
organophosphate chemicals such as dursban, diazinon or malathion
cannot be disposed of in the sanitary sewer. The recommended
disposal methods for this solution, at this time, is land
application or bring it to a hazardous household collection
event.
Do not pour dipping solutions and
insecticides containing dursban, diazinon or malathion down the
drain inside your house.
If you have any questions concerning
environmentally friendly alternatives please call Environmental
Services at (918) 591-4378.
