Owasco Lake has suffered eutrophication, an increase in nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, for many years. This has become an increasing problem not only for Owasco Lake, but also for many other water bodies across the United States. There are a variety of contributors to the problem. One of the most overlooked and easily fixed problem is the effect that pet waste, particularly dog waste, has on water quality.

According to Bruce Warden, a scientist for the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Board in Providence, R.I., the average dog weighing 45 pounds contributes 13 pounds of nitrogen and 2 pounds of phosphorus every year.

In other words, each dog has the potential to produce enough phosphorus to grow approximately 1,000 pounds of weeds in Owasco Lake!

The American Veterinary Medical Association estimated that 36.1 percent of households in the United States own dogs. Yet, the average household owns 1.6 dogs. Using 1990 census data, the Cayuga County Planning Department estimated that the human population for the Owasco Lake watershed was 15,900. With the population plugged into a formula generated by the American Veterinary Medical Association, it was calculated that there are approximately 3,440 dogs living within Owasco Lake watershed.

If the waste produced by all of these dogs was not picked up and disposed of properly for an entire year, their waste alone would contribute 6,880 pounds of phosphorus, which could grow approximately 3.4 million pounds of weeds.

Not only is the amount of phosphorus in dog waste an issue, but so is the amount of bacteria. Dog waste contains harmful bacteria like E. coli, Cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia and Salmonella.

In 2004, Emerson Park was closed for a significant part of the swimming season due to high and harmful levels of E. coli bacteria in the water.

Dogs are not the only family pet in the watershed that can have a negative impact on the water quality. Pets like cats, rabbits, rodents and birds can also increase the potential for nutrients and bacteria to enter the waterways.

Pet waste should be handled in an environmentally-friendly way and disposed of to avoid contact with the lake, streams and storm sewers. There are many simple ways that you can easily pick up after your pet. The most effective way to dispose of pet waste is to flush it down the toilet.

Be sure to remove twigs, leaves, and other debris before flushing. Another way is to place the waste in a plastic bag and throw it out in the trash. There are products like the Pooper Scooper that are sold at many retail stores that make picking up pet waste fast and easy.

Picking up your pet's waste can have a significant impact on your watershed. Every family within the watershed can do their part to protect the water quality of Owasco Lake. Picking up pet waste will help clean our water, as well as make our lawns more aesthetically pleasing.

Jessica Miles is the Owasco Lake Watershed inspector.