Pick Up Pet Poop!
Pet poop left on the ground isn’t just a smelly nuisance – it also harms human health and the environment. When it rains, pet waste on the ground is washed away into storm drains and pipes to our streams and rivers. Water contaminated by pet waste is unsafe for swimming or other recreational activities, since the bacteria, parasites, and viruses in pet waste can cause serious health problems in humans. The nutrients in pet waste can also cause algal blooms and reduce oxygen levels in the water – harming fish and other wildlife.
Help protect our community, rivers, and streams:
- When walking your pet, always bring a bag to scoop up waste. You can tie bags to your pet’s leash or store a few in your car.
- Don’t let your pet use streets, sidewalks, or other paved areas as a bathroom - choose a grassy area instead.
- Make sure to clean up after your pet in your own yard, especially before it rains.
- Dispose of bagged pet waste in a trash can. Never place in a compost pile.
Learn more at pgh2o.com/reducing-stormwater-pollution.
