Pick up after your pets

1
Animal Waste is more than just a
Nuisance.
When pet waste is left behind, it can wash
into storm drains and ditches. From there, it
heads straight into our local lakes and rivers,
taking harmful bacteria along for the ride into
our drinking water sources! Whether its in your
yard or on a walk, pick it up and promptly
dispose of the waste in the trash or toilet
where it will be properly treated. Amazing
Fact the 20 square mile watershed surrounding
Washington DC is littered with 5,000 pounds of
pet waste EVERY DAY!!
Image courtesy of SEMCOG

• Pick up after your pets!

Watch and enjoy the ducks and geese, but
avoid feeding them. Feeding ducks and geese may
seem harmless, but it can, in fact, be harmful to
our water quality. Feeding waterfowl can
cause them to become dependent on humans and
attract an unnaturally high concentration of
birds, resulting in excess animal waste problems
in public areas. The waste also contains harmful
bacteria that pollutes our parks and waterways.
Dont Feed the Birds!
Spread the word- remind others what they can do
to help protect our water resources. We can
also work with local government to install signs,
bag dispensers and trash cans in convenient
public places to remind visitors to clean up
after their pets.
Brought to you by the Municipal Stormwater
Community Partnership and Northwestern Indiana
Regional Planning Commission 6100 Southport
Road Portage IN 46368 For more information
contact Mary Beth Wiseman, Environmental Planner
mwiseman_at_nirpc.org