We love our dogs in Northern Virginia, but we also love our waterways. If we’re not responsible pet owners, having a dog can lead to polluted streams and rivers. This is because dog poop is a major contributor to stormwater pollution. As rain and snow melt, they start to carry pet waste across yards, dog parks, and trails down our storm drains and into our waterways. This can lead to e-coli contamination in our waters and lead to serious illness in humans.

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How to prevent it:

Remember to pick up any pet waste that may be in your yard, and when taking your dog on a walk, always bring a bag or find a pet waste station at your local park. If you are worried about the additional plastic use, many pet waste bags now come in biodegradable or compostable options!