Animal Waste

Both wild and domestic animals create non-point source pollution problems through their waste products. One estimate is that an individual Canada goose can drop up to one–half pound of excrement per day, leading one local wildlife expert to comment that the handsome birds are “flying bags of Scott’s Turf Builder.” Large groups of birds make lawns and sidewalks a slippery mess, and their droppings contribute to high coliform bacteria levels in the lake areas they inhabit. Bacterial contamination is a major cause of lakes being closed to swimming.

Residents can help reduce the problem of geese by planting shrubs instead of grass next to waterways. Geese prefer water bodies with lawns that come right to the edge, where they can enter and leave the water with a clear view of their surroundings. They dislike high grasses and shrubbery along the banks. In addition, visitors to natural areas and parks should not feed geese, as this encourages their presence and adds to the amount of waste produced.

Animal manure pollutes air, water, and land resources. Degraded stream water quality and fish kills resulting from animal manures and feed wastes are reported each year. Such pollution usually results from improper practices or careless management. Beyond the concern for pollution control and compliance with state and federal standards, most livestock producers are interested in retaining their animal manure because of its fertilizer value.

Even the family dog can contribute to pollution of the local watershed. What may seem like scant amounts of dog waste, when combined with other waste, becomes a major problem for a small receiving stream. Dropping dog waste in the storm drain may create bacterial and pathogenic problems in that storm sewer line and contribute to elevated fecal coliform levels downstream. Dog waste should always be “taken with you” and disposed of at home in the garbage.

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