Scoop the Poop!

Pet Waste is a bigger problem than many people realize!

A single gram of pet waste contains an average of 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, including E.coli, which can harm human health and the environment.

 
 

Pet waste also contains nutrients that encourage weed and algae growth. Overly fertile water becomes cloudy, slimy, and green/black, as a result of eutrophication, which causes health concerns for for swimmers, boaters, and fish.

Perhaps most importantly, pet waste can carry diseases which could make water unsafe for contact. In addition to E.coli, additional health concerns include:

  • Campylobacteriosis - bacterial infection

  • Salmonellosis - bacterial infection

  • Toxocariasis - roundworm infection

  • Toxoplasmosis - protozoan parasite infection

  • Giardiasis - protozoan parasite infection

Pet Waste Outreach Materials


Podcast: Pet Waste and Our Waterways

 
 

In the Salt Lake Valley, runoff from rain storms and snowmelt flows directly to local creeks and rivers with NO treatment. Pollution of storm water is a serious problem for wildlife and for the people who live near streams or use them for recreation. Pet waste tops the list of pollutants that impact our water quality and pose harm to human and environmental health.

Salt Lake County is working with citizens and businesses to improve water quality and clean up storm water runoff. We hope you will join us, by keeping pet wastes off the ground and out of our rivers and streams.

Bacteria from improperly disposed pet waste may be washed into the storm drainage system by rain, irrigation, or melting snow.

When pet waste is washed into lakes or streams, the waste decays, using up oxygen and sometimes releasing ammonia. Low oxygen levels and ammonia combined with warm temperatures kill fish.

 
 

Pet Waste Data & Reports