Protect Cape Coral: Uncollected Dog Waste is Polluting Our Waterways!
We expect the headlines every year—red tide, high levels of bacteria closing beaches, and blue-green algae blooms in Cape Coral canals. Water pollution is a big problem in Southwest Florida. While many sources contribute to water pollution, one often overlooked cause is uncollected dog waste. We estimate there are over 40,000 dogs within Cape Coral. National averages indicate that 40 percent of dog owners do not regularly pick up after their dogs. As dog ownership rates increase, it is more important than ever for community education on the ways that uncollected dog waste contributes to waterway pollution in Southwest Florida, the underlying mechanisms, and potential solutions to mitigate this environmental challenge.
Common Misconceptions
Before discussing the impacts of uncollected dog waste on water quality, it is important to address a few misconceptions and point to some commonsense facts that help understand the problem.
Dog Waste Is Not “Natural” - The Dog Population Issue
Cape Coral has a high concentration of domesticated dogs, far exceeding the natural carrying capacity of the environment. In a natural setting, a few dogs would roam throughout our peninsula. That is not the modern-day reality. The concentrated population of dogs in cities and suburbs means that pet waste with high levels of nitrogen and bacteria are concentrated in unnatural ways. Our intense summer rains and year-round irrigation systems flush these pollutant into storm drains, and eventually into canals, Matlacha Pass, Charlotte Harbor, and the Caloosahatchee River.
Debunking the Natural Fertilizer Myth
A common misconception is that dog poop is a natural fertilizer. In reality, the high concentration of dog waste in residential areas leads to nitrogen overloads. The concentrated nature of nitrogen in pet waste can severely damage grass types like St. Augustine, Bahia, and Bermuda, unless they are promptly removed. Homeowners should water down pet urine spots if they wish to preserve their greenspaces.
The Problem: Dog Poop as a Decentralized Pollutant
The EPA classifies dog poop as a non-point source pollutant. Non-point source pollution is simply pollution that comes from multiple, diffuse sources. As a non-point source pollutant, dog poop poses a unique challenge for water quality management because it accumulates from numerous locations across the landscape. This diffuse pollution is harder to control. It requires education and individual responsibility address effectively.
Each gram of dog feces contains an average of 23 million fecal coliform bacteria. In Southwest Florida, the high volume of pet waste can become a major source of pollution, contributing significantly to the overall water quality degradation. When dog waste is not promptly picked up, it can be washed into storm drains and waterways during rainfall, leading to contamination of our waterways. Southwest Florida’s rain cycle is particularly concerning. The area’s heavy rainfall and frequent storms can cause runoff that picks up dog waste from yards, parks, and streets. This runoff flows into stormwater systems, which often discharge directly our canals, Matlacha Pass, the Caloosahatchee River, and Pine Island Sound, with it the contaminants from dog poop.
Once in the water, dog poop releases nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients can fuel the growth of harmful algal blooms, which deplete oxygen in the water and create dead zones where aquatic life cannot survive. Additionally, the bacteria and parasites in dog feces pose health risks to humans who encounter contaminated water. The presence of these contaminants in water bodies not only disrupts aquatic ecosystems but also affects the safety and usability of these waters for the local community and significantly impacts our local economy.
Case Studies: Southwest Florida’s Waterways at Risk
Cape Coral Yacht Club Beach
On September 28, 2023, the Cape Coral Yacht Club beach tested high for Enterococcus bacteria. The Florida Department of Health stated in its press release that “Enterococcus bacteria normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. The presence of an elevated concentration of these bacteria is an indicator of possible pollution, which may come from storm water runoff [and] pets …” On January 19, 2024, the Yacht Club tested high again for Enterococcus bacteria.
Blue-Green Algae in Cape Coral Canals
Cape Coral, a city known for its extensive canal system, has faced significant challenges with blue-green algae blooms in recent years, to the point they seem routine. In the summer of 2018, Cape Coral experienced a severe outbreak of blue-green algae, which covered vast stretches of its canals with toxic scum. This outbreak was linked to nutrient pollution, including runoff containing pet waste. Some other non-exhaustive examples of blue-green algae outbreaks include:
June 23, 2023: The Florida Department of Health in Lee County issued a health alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in the Able Canal at Connie Ave N, and in the Caloosahatchee River at North Shore Park, West First St., and Altamont Ave.
July 7, 2023: A health alert was issued for the Caloosahatchee River at End of Canal Cir, Whitecap Cir Dock, and Coral Point Drive.
March 8, 2024: The Florida Department of Health in Lee County issued a caution for blue-green algae blooms in the Caloosahatchee River, particularly at the Killer Canal.
Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, thrive in environments rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, leading to dense algal blooms that can cover large surface areas of water bodies. Pet waste contains high levels of both nitrogen and phosphorous. The presence of these harmful algal blooms resulted in foul odors, fish kills, and health warnings for residents and visitors. The algae blooms not only disrupted local ecosystems but also had a negative impact on property values and tourism, highlighting the urgent need for better management of nutrient sources, including dog waste, to protect water quality in Cape Coral.
Local Fertilizer Bans in Cape Coral Cannot Decrease Uncollected Pet Waste
In response to the increasing problem of nutrient pollution, Cape Coral has implemented seasonal bans on nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers to help curb the growth of harmful algal blooms. If you drive around Cape Coral, you see the banners pop up every may. However, dog poop is also high in nitrogen and phosphorus, and its improper disposal can counteract the benefits of these fertilizer bans. By not managing pet waste effectively, the community continues to face elevated nutrient levels in water bodies, emphasizing the need for comprehensive waste management practices to protect water quality.
Solutions and Best Practices
Public Education and Awareness
Raising awareness about the environmental impact of dog poop is crucial. Public education campaigns can inform pet owners about the importance of picking up after their dogs and the proper disposal methods. Initiatives such as community workshops, informational brochures, and social media campaigns can be effective tools in spreading this message. Emphasizing the direct link between pet waste and water pollution can help drive home the importance of responsible pet ownership.
Cape Coral’s Pet Waste Ordinance
Although not regularly enforced, Cape Coral does have an ordinance in place that requires pet owners to pick up their pet waste. The City adopted Lee County Ordinance 4-23(k)(3). The ordinance provides that fenced yards “must be free from unsanitary conditions, including bodily waste, stagnant water and/or stale food, odor and parasites, including fleas, ticks and rodents.”
Conclusion
Dog waste may seem like a minor issue to the individual pet owner, but its cumulative contribution to water pollution in Southwest Florida is significant. By understanding the pathways through which dog waste contaminates waterways and implementing practical solutions, we can protect the region’s valuable water resources. By addressing the problem of uncollected dog waste pollution with education and individual responsibility, Southwest Florida can make strides in preserving its pristine waterways and natural beauty for future generations. Recognizing the direct connection between dog waste and water pollution is the first step towards creating a sustainable and healthy environment.
If you need help keeping up with pet waste, contact The Green Hound for affordable pet waste removal services.