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6/9/2015
Doody calls: Pet poop pollution pullulating ­ The Galveston County Daily News: News
Doody calls: Pet poop pollution pullulating
By JASMINE GARVEY | Posted: Tuesday, June 2, 2015 12:11 am
The pet population is continuously growing and, with it, a certain problem: how to get rid of all that
waste.
An estimated 900,000 dogs are living in the Houston­Galveston region, according to the Houston­
Galveston Area Council, and are collectively depositing 312 tons (or 52 dump­truck loads) of poop
per day. Left uncollected, the waste flows, along with runoff from rain, directly into storm drains
connected to bayous and creeks where it decomposes. Other pollutants are contributing to the bacteria being found, but waste is still among the top. “The amount varies depending on each watershed but a high percentage comes from pet waste,” said
Todd Running, water resources program manager for the Houston­Galveston Area Council. “The last
modeling that was done of Cedar Bayou’s Watershed was at 44 percent.”
There could be other factors contributing to those high bacteria numbers, such as aging sewer pipes
and septic systems. As these systems age, the potential for leaks and creaks increases. Within this waste, tiny organisms are bringing a number of bacteria and viruses harmful to people.
Campylobacter, a bacteria, and the parasite cryptosporidium, are two diseases that can come from pet
poo. Both cause diarrhea and abdominal upset. This can be dangerous to the young, old, and those
who have weakened immune systems.
The bacteria that are being tested for are E.coli in freshwater and Enterococci in tidal water. If these
are present then there is a high chance that other bacteria will be present as well — quickly indicating
contamination of the water.
Running believes this is a concern but manageable if people can properly pick up after their pets. “The biggest thing here is education. People need to realize this is a big contribution to the bacteria,”
said Running. This can mean carrying an extra dog bag on walks or simply encouraging others to pick up after their
pets.
Since 2008, the Bacteria Implementation Group (BIG), a 31­member committee working in the
Houston area, has been working on reducing waterways with high levels of bacteria. From 2008 to
2014, they were able to reduce levels in the White Oak Bayou by 60 percent.
Some cities have gone as far as enacting pet waste ordinances, fining pet owners for improper waste
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6/9/2015
Doody calls: Pet poop pollution pullulating ­ The Galveston County Daily News: News
disposal. Fines have gone up to $200 in some cases. “The good thing is that this is one thing that everyone can do,” said Running. “And it helps cue them
in to the overall water quality.”
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