United States Office of Water EPA 916-F-01-027

Environmental Protection (4606) July 2001

Agency

Source Water Protection 

Practices Bulletin 

Managing Pet and Wildlife Waste 

to Prevent Contamination of 

Drinking Water 

Animal waste or feces have long been isolated from 

people for public health reasons. However, droppings 

from pets, such as dogs, cats, exotic birds and rabbits, are 

deposited into rivers, streams, and other water bodies and 

can threaten human health. This fact sheet addresses 

some of the measures pet owners can take to improve 

water quality and reduce the burden on drinking water 

treatment. (See the fact sheet on livestock, poultry, and 

horse wastes for information on management measures 

related to these animals.) 

SOURCES OF PET AND WILDLIFE WASTE 

While livestock are the greatest contributor of animal waste, perhaps the least suspected source 

of animal waste is man’s very own best friend. Pets, particularly dogs, are significant 

contributors to source water contamination. Studies performed on watersheds in the Seattle, 

Washington, area found that nearly 20 percent of the bacteria found in water samples were 

matched with dogs as the host animals. 

Wild birds and small mammals can introduce microorganisms into a water supply through 

direct contact or from watershed runoff. Wildlife commonly associated with microbial 

contamination of drinking 

water supplies include deer, 

beavers, muskrats, rodents, 

gulls, and geese. Birds are 

widely reported to be one of 

the most common and 

significant sources of 

contamination of open 

reservoirs. Areas that are 

suitable for pets can attract 

wildlife as well, so tips pet 

owners can use to deter 

wildlife are presented in this 

fact sheet. 

Snow geese 
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO MANAGE PET AND WILDLIFE WASTE NEAR THE 

SOURCES OF YOUR DRINKING WATER? 

Probably the greatest health concern associated with animal wastes is pathogens. Many 

pathogens found in animal waste can infect humans if ingested. Organisms such as 

Cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia, and Salmonella can induce symptoms ranging from skin 

sores to chest pain. E. coli, which causes diarrhea and abdominal gas, has been the source of 

disease outbreaks in several States. Particularly virulent strains of E. coli can cause serious 

illness and fatalities. Cryptosporidium is of particular concern because it is highly resistant to 

disinfection with chlorine. This protozoan causes gastrointestinal illness lasting two to ten 

days in healthy individuals but can be fatal in people with weakened immune systems. 

Dog and cat droppings often contain roundworms and other parasitic nematodes. Infection by 

just a few roundworms usually causes no problems, but more severe infections may cause 

fevers, bronchitis, asthma, or vision problems. Cat feces may contain toxoplasmosis, a parasite 

that infects humans and other animals. Cats are the only animals known to excrete 

toxoplasmosis oocysts, which are resistant to most disinfectants. Toxoplasmosis is a serious 

health concern for pregnant women and immuno-compromised individuals. 

AVAILABLE PREVENTION MEASURES TO ADDRESS PET AND WILDLIFE 

WASTE 

The most effective way for pet owners to limit their pet’s contribution to source water


contamination is to simply clean up and dispose of pet waste. As long as the droppings are not


mixed with other materials, pet waste should be flushed down the toilet. This allows waste to


be properly treated by a community sewage plant or septic system. Also, pet waste can be


buried or sealed in a plastic bag and put into the garbage if local law allows it (check with the


local health department to be sure).


To bury pet wastes, dig a hole at least one foot deep, and place three to four inches of pet


waste at the bottom. Use a shovel to chop and mix the wastes into the soil at the bottom, then


cover the wastes with at least eight inches of soil to keep rodents and pets from digging them


up. Pet wastes should only be buried around ornamental plants, and never in vegetable gardens


or food-growing locations.


Pet wastes are not recommended for back yard compost piles. While animal manures can


make useful fertilizer, parasites carried in dog and cat feces can cause diseases in humans and


should not be incorporated into compost piles. Dogs and cats should be kept away from


gardens as well.


Pets should not be walked near streams, ponds,


or lakes. Stream banks should not be part of the


normal territory of animals. Instead, walk pets


in grassy areas, parks, or undeveloped areas. Pet


wastes left on sidewalks, streets, or other paved


and hard surfaces are readily carried by storm


water into streams. Pet wastes should be kept


out of street gutters and storm drains.


Some more advanced practices that can be


adopted in public parks are doggy loos and


pooch patches. Doggy loos are disposal units installed in the ground where decomposition can


occur. If pets are allowed off-leash, they can be trained to defecate on pooch patches, which


are sandy areas designated for that purpose. Special bins can also be provided for the disposal


of pet waste. Wherever pets defecate, whether in public parks or backyards, the “Long Grass


Principle” can be used to prevent source water contamination. Not only are dogs readily


attracted to long grass, but long grass helps to filter pollutants and the feces can decompose

naturally while minimally polluting runoff. A height of around ten centimeters (10 cm) is 

appropriate for such long grass. These long grass areas, however, should be placed away from 

overland flow paths, stream channels, lakes, drinking water wells, and storm water drainage 

inlets. 

Managing Wildlife 

Although there are a variety of ways to decrease the risk posed by non-domestic animals by 

removing attractants or harassing nuisance species, any such plans should be implemented only 

with a good understanding of the nuisance wildlife population in question. For example, 

Federal or State permits might be required for wildlife control harassment programs; in 

addition, some nuisance species, such as Canada geese, are protected by Federal law, and 

harming the birds or their eggs can result in stiff penalties. Consult fish and wildlife agencies 

regarding the handling of protected species. 

Harassment programs can be implemented to repel birds and wildlife from valuable surface 

waters. Available methods include habitat modification, decoys, eagle kites, noisemakers, and 

scarecrows or plastic owls. A daily human presence can keep birds and other wild species 

away. 

Reducing the attractiveness of yards to wildlife might encourage these species to live 

elsewhere. Species can be diverted from sensitive areas by using fencing, mowing, landscaping 

changes, tree pruning (to reduce bird roosting), or drainage devices (to keep beavers and 

muskrats from building dams and dens). Food sources can be kept to a minimum by 

prohibiting feeding by the public, removing trash, securing pet feed, and reducing palatable 

plant species. 

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

These sources contain information on pet waste pollution prevention measures. All of the 

documents listed are available free of charge on the Internet. 

If your community does not regulate pet waste, e.g., with a “pooper-scooper” ordinance, try to 

make it a priority of your local governing body. Contact the local animal control officer or 

local or State department of health. Encourage the parks and recreation department to place 

pet waste collection and disposal stations in public parks. 

Home*A*Syst (www.uwex.edu/homeasyst) provides valuable information on environmental 

and health issues in and around the home. 

U.S. EPA, Long Island Sound Study. Pet Waste Poster. Retrieved February 19, 2001, from 

the World Wide Web: http://www.epa.gov/region01/eco/lis/posters/pet.html