Pet waste that is left on sidewalks, roads, driveways, parks and yards can mix with rainfall and snowmelt and travel to storm drains and surface waters causing pollution and an increased risk of disease.

It may be difficult to picture how one dog or cat depositing a small amount of animal waste here and there can result in potential water pollution, but studies have shown that the cumulative impact of waste from all the pets, livestock, and resident waterfowl within a watershed can have a significant impact on water quality and may also cause human health risks.

Pick up after your pet. When going for walks with your dog, bring along a plastic bag and scooper. Pet waste should also be removed daily from your yard. How should you dispose of it? No solution is perfect, but here are a few choices:

Flush solid waste down the toilet. Do NOT flush leaves, sticks, debris or cat litter down the toilet!
Bury the waste in a proper spot in your yard about five inches below the ground surface (the upper soil layer is the biologically active layer). Another option is to install an in-ground pet waste disposal system that works much like a septic tank (this requires a deep hole). Burial is not recommended in areas with poor drainage and high water tables (within 18 to 30 inches from the surface). It is also not an effective option when temperatures drop below 40 degrees F. Never locate burial areas near a drinking water well, surface waters, storm drains or vegetable gardens.
Dispose of solid waste and used cat litter in the trash, sealed securely in a plastic bag. While this transfers the problem to a landfill, it does protect the larger watershed area from potential pollution.
Train outdoor cats to use a litter box.
In larger yards, you can train your dog to use natural woodland areas or areas where grass is not frequently mowed (left at least 4 inches tall). The waste will naturally decompose as long as it is not at a risk of mixing and traveling with stormwater runoff. Do not rely on “natural areas” that are located near surface waters, drinking water wells, or vegetable gardens.

Similarly, dog yards and dog runs should never be located near a drinking water well or immediately upslope of a surface water body. Ideally, the area should be fairly level and well-vegetated and located away from vegetable gardens and children’s play areas. Solid waste should be collected and disposed of using the options outlined above.

Don’t feed the waterfowl! It encourages a higher number of birds than natural food supplies can support. These large flocks of birds also deposit large quantities of waste in and around surface waters, impacting water quality.

If you have horses or other livestock and stockpile the manure, feed and bedding waste, keep it sheltered from the weather and away from drinking water wells or other nearby surface waters. Do not allow rainfall, snowmelt or other surface runoff to mix with the stockpile. Depending on the amount of manure generated on a daily basis and the amount of land you own or have access to, it may be necessary to think about some options for handling, utilizing, or disposing of the animal waste properly. Livestock corrals, pastures and animal access areas may also need improved management. For more information refer to our fact sheet and self-assessment series: Livestock on Small Acreages: Protecting Water Resources and Health.

For more information on pet waste management

URI CE Home*A*Syst Program factsheets:

Pet Waste and Water Quality Protection

Livestock on small Acreages: Protecting Water Resources and Health

Small Acreage Livestock Education Program

Contact the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and your local Conservation District at (401) 828-1300 for information on agricultural waste management.

The Center for Watershed Protection
or call (410) 461-8323

For in-ground pet waste disposal systems contact your local pet supply store. You can also do an internet search on pet waste disposal to obtain a variety of sizes and models.