Pet waste can introduce pathogens and nutrients to surface water (which can enter a compromised well from the cap or
) and groundwater. Regularly pick up and dispose of pet waste and do not kennel a dog or any other pet over or near the well. Fuel contains harmful chemicals which can pollute groundwater.
Accidentally stepping in dog poop can affect the quality of your water, which is more than just an inconvenience for you. If dog waste is left on the ground, it could potentially mix with runoff and get into drinking water reservoirs because it is exposed to rain and snow.
What is the problem with dog waste in our water systems?
Phosphorus, nitrogen, bacteria, parasites, and other contaminants that are harmful to water sources can be found in dog waste. When abandoned on the ground or close to storm drains, waste does not undergo the same proper waste treatment as our home wastewater does before returning to water sources. The additional nutrients and pathogens not only endanger aquatic life but also degrade the water quality for swimming, boating, and fishing.
More resources are required in the detection and purification processes once the contamination reaches the municipal drinking water treatment facilities as it enters water bodies that supply drinking water to ensure bacteria and viruses like tapeworm, roundworm, or E coli are removed.
Even though one dog leaving a small amount of waste may not seem like a big deal, the combined effect of pet waste can have a big impact on water quality. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 100 dogs’ worth of dog waste would pollute a beach for two days, forcing the closure of all watershed areas within a 20-mile radius!
To specifically identify canine fecal contamination in water, the researchers created a new genetic testing technique. They discovered 11 genetic markers that were absent in the majority of the human samples but common in the majority of the dog samples. They sampled storm water from a rain garden where people frequently walk their dogs to see if their method would be effective for real-world monitoring. The method found some of the same markers they had discovered as indicators of canine waste.
Although Americans adore their dogs, they are not always devoted to cleaning up after them. And that’s a problem. When dog waste is left on the ground, it can wash into waterways and carry bacteria, including strains that are resistant to antibiotics. According to a report in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology, researchers have now created a new genetic test to determine how much dogs are contributing to this health issue.
Orin C. Shanks, Hyatt C. According to Green and colleagues, sewage leaks, farm animal and wildlife droppings, and other fecal contamination sources can all affect our waterways. Given that dog feces may contain E. coli bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, contamination is a concern. There are nearly 70 million domesticated dogs in the United States, which makes it possible for E. coli and other bacteria and parasites to infect humans. S. Few tools have been available to scientists to assess the level to which dog waste contributes to the pathogens in rivers, lakes, and beachfront surf. Currently used techniques scan dog feces for specific genes produced by gut bacteria. This is not foolproof, though, as the microbiota of humans and the dogs they share their homes frequently overlap, complicating the analysis. Therefore, Shanks’ team set out to develop a more focused test.
But dog waste is more problematic for our shoes than that. Untreated pet waste is just as harmful to waterways as untreated human sewage, which is why scooping the poop is important for protecting our lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. If “left to nature,” pet waste and the associated pathogens, like giardia and salmonella, can be washed into rivers, beaches, and bays by stormwater through storm drains. Actually, one of the major national causes of water pollution is stormwater pollution. A high bacterial load renders water unfit for swimming and drinking, and it also contributes to the closure of shellfish beds. Additionally, pet waste can increase the nutrients in nearby waterbodies, resulting in an increase in plant growth and algal blooms.
Be cautious when leaving land mines in your own yard, even if you have one, and wait until there is a nice collection before clearing them up. To avoid it being washed away by rain, pick it up as soon as possible.
Visit the NHDES Pet Health and the Environment webpage for more details on what you can do to lessen pet waste pollution.
All dog owners have experienced the judgmental looks, guilt, and blame while watching their furry friend contribute to the environment from a distance (hopefully downwind). Our polite society has ingrained the practice of picking up after our dogs, or “scooping the poop,” if you will. You might get some side looks if you don’t have that bag ready to go, and if you dare leave without it, those eyes would probably be burning holes in the back of your head. No one wants to unintentionally step into a mess that has been left behind, so it’s important to be respectful and courteous when using a shared space.
FAQ
Can dog poop seep well water?
Pet waste left on the ground eventually contaminates the watershed. Irrigation, rain, melting snow, and flooding all flush waste elements like fecal bacteria and nutrients into storm drains, streams, and other receiving waters. They could also just easily permeate the soil and get into the groundwater.
Does dog poop affect groundwater?
Dog waste contains phosphorus and nitrogen, which can reduce the amount of oxygen needed for fish and other aquatic life to survive and promote the growth of harmful algae. It is also regarded as a significant source of pathogens like the bacteria that causes disease, fecal coliform.
How do you get dog poop out of water?
A: It’s not a good idea to bury dog waste. It’s a point source of pollution that poses serious risks to soil and water quality, as well as human health, if it’s buried too near to waterways or vegetable gardens. Dog excrement contains nasty pathogens like Giardia, Salmonella, and E.