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PETS AND AQUARIUM PLANTS

Surface runoff flushes pet feces off sidewalks, streets, and gutters into storm drains and ditches and carries the waste into surface waters. Animal wastes contaminate surface waters with the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus, and bacteria and viruses.

The keeping of large farm animals in rural areas requires care in handling manure. Ponds, lakes, and estuaries in urban areas that have populations of Muscovy ducks and other waterfowl can be contaminated by their wastes.

Help keep area surface waters clean by cleaning up after pets:

  • Bury wastes at least 6 to 8 inches below the soil surface and away from surface waters.
  • Flush wastes down the toilet, if doing so won't stress a septic system.
  • Pick up wastes and dispose of them in the trash.
  • Use a "pooper scooper" when walking a dog on a paved surface.
  • If you keep horses and other large animals, store manure on higher dry ground and spread manure at least 100 feet away from waterbodies.
  • Refrain from feeding domestic ducks and other waterfowl in city parks and wildlife that may be using wetlands in urban areas.

Another serious problem of U.S. waters, is the introduction of non-native plants and animals in canals, steams, lakes, and estuaries. In the absence of native biological controls, these plants spread aggressively, outcompete and displace native species, and are controlled at great economic cost.

Help keep waters clear and free of exotic species:

Never empty an aquarium into an area stream, canal, or other waterway. Non-native aquarium plants and animals are exotic and do not belong in coastal waters. Aquarium plants clog waterways and impede the flow of water. Aquarium fish may outcompete native fishes.
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