How Dog Waste Affects Water Quality in Dane County

Dane County is home to some of Wisconsin's most beautiful lakes and waterways — Lake Mendota, Lake Monona, Yahara River, and dozens of smaller streams and wetlands. What many dog owners do not realize is that pet waste left on the ground is a significant contributor to water pollution in our community.

The Runoff Problem

When it rains, water flows across yards, sidewalks, and streets, picking up pollutants along the way. Dog waste left on lawns dissolves and gets carried by stormwater directly into storm drains — which in Dane County often flow untreated into our lakes and streams.

A single gram of dog waste contains an estimated 23 million fecal coliform bacteria. Multiply that by the thousands of dogs in the Madison metro area, and the impact becomes staggering.

What Is in Dog Waste?

Dog waste contains several pollutants that harm water quality:

• Bacteria — E. coli, salmonella, and other harmful organisms
• Parasites — Roundworms, hookworms, giardia, and cryptosporidium
• Excess nutrients — Nitrogen and phosphorus that fuel toxic algae blooms
• Pharmaceuticals — Traces of flea treatments, dewormers, and medications

The Algae Bloom Connection

Dane County residents know the frustration of summer algae blooms on our lakes. The excess phosphorus and nitrogen in dog waste is a direct contributor to these blooms. When nutrient-rich runoff enters our waterways, it feeds algae growth that can make lakes unsafe for swimming and harm aquatic life.

What You Can Do

The solution is simple: pick up after your dog, every time. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional service like Reporting For Doody, removing waste from your yard before it rains is one of the most impactful things you can do for local water quality.

• Pick up waste at least once a week
• Never leave waste near storm drains, streams, or lake shores
• Bag waste and dispose of it in the trash — not in compost or garden beds
• Consider a professional removal service for consistent, reliable cleanups

We Handle the Dirty Work

At Reporting For Doody, we serve 27 cities across South Central Wisconsin. Every yard we clean is one less source of runoff pollution flowing into our lakes. Get a free quote and do your part for Dane County's waterways.