Scoop the Poop – Pet Waste Threatens Area Rivers, Lakes, and Streams

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Maylynne Wilbert, 636-4349, maylynne.wilbert@memphistn.gov

Memphis, TN (August 5, 2019) – Pet waste is more than an annoyance for pedestrians, it contains bacteria, viruses, and parasites and poses a serious threat to our rivers, lakes, and streams.

In addition to looking and smelling bad, animal wastes can wash into drain inlets during storm events. Storm water, carrying the wastes, flows from the inlets through the drainage system and discharges into local creeks and rivers and eventually into McKellar Lake and the Mississippi River. In addition to increasing bacteria levels, decomposing animal waste demands a high level of oxygen from the water. By reducing the amount of available oxygen, aquatic life suffers.

It is a violation of the City ordinance if you do not clean-up after your pet. Fortunately, it is safe and easy to “Scoop the Poop.” The simplest method is to place your hand inside a plastic bag, pick up the poop, then turn the bag inside out and tie. Then, just place the bag with your household garbage for pickup and transport to a sanitary landfill. If bending is a problem, most pet supply stores sell products that allow you to pick up the waste while remaining upright.

City of Memphis Storm Water Department personnel work diligently to protect our waterways. But we need the help of every citizen of Memphis. Only YOU can PREVENT contamination.

PLEASE! BE PROUD OF YOUR CITY. HELP KEEP OUR WATERWAYS CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL.

For more information, please visit our website at MemphisStormWater.com or contact the City’s Storm Water Department at 901-636-4349, to request a free yard sign that promotes proper pet waste disposal.