by Joe’s Stream Team and the Mount Rainier Green Team
Joe’s Stream Team and the Mount Rainier Green Team have done our best to cover the importance of keeping litter out of our waterways. It’s important to be aware that all land litter has the potential to wind up as water, river, lake and stream litter. Most of the time, when you think “litter” you think of bags and bottles, but if we told you that dogs in the neighborhood are contributing to polluting land and water, would you believe it? There is nothing like going on a nice walk through the city or though nature with your pet. Dogs are just being dogs: we are relying on dog owners to help prevent a major issue.
Pollutants from improperly disposed pet waste may be washed into storm sewers by rain or melting snow. Storm sewers usually drain directly into our lakes and streams, carrying many pollutants along with the water. When pet waste is washed into lakes or streams the waste decays and uses up oxygen, sometimes releasing ammonia. Low oxygen levels and ammonia combined with warm temperatures can kill fish and other marine animals. Pet waste also contains nutrients that encourage weed and algae growth. Overly fertile water becomes cloudy and green which is quite unattractive for swimming, boating and fishing. Importantly, pet waste can carry disease which make water unsafe for swimming or drinking.
When pet waste isn’t disposed of properly, your health may be at risk outside of our waterways as well. Pets, children who play outside, and adults who garden are most at risk for infection from some of the bacteria and parasites found in pet waste. Flies can also spread diseases from animal waste. There are various diseases or parasites that may be transmitted from pet waste to humans. So, when you pick up after your pet be sure to protect yourself as well!
Your pet’s waste may not be the largest or most toxic pollutant in urban waterways, but it is one of the many little sources of pollution that add up to a big problem. Fortunately, picking up pet waste is a simple thing we can all do to help keep the water clean. The next time you want to go for a nice walk with your pet, please enjoy it! Be aware and responsible and pick up after your pet. Not doing so would be a direct contribution to pollution to our neighborhoods, parks, and waterways.
Joe’s Stream Team is @JoesStreamTeam on Facebook and Instagram. The Mount Rainier Green Team meets on the second Monday of each month at the Mount Rainier Police Department from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. All interested citizens are invited to attend. For more information, meeting agendas and minutes, and an up-to-date calendar please https://mountrainiergreenteam.org or email email@example.com.
Joe's Stream Team na Mount Rainier Green Team wamefanya kazi yao ya kufunika umuhimu wa kuweka taka nje ya njia zetu za maji. Ni muhimu kuwa na ufahamu kwamba taka zote za ardhi zina uwezo wa kuishia kama maji, mto, ziwa na taka za kijito. "Wakati mwingine, wakati unapofikiria ""matope,"" unafikiria mifuko na chupa, lakini ikiwa tungekuambia kwamba mbwa katika ujirani wako wanachangia uchafuzi wa ardhi na maji, je, ungeamini?" Hakuna kitu kama kwenda juu ya kutembea nzuri kupitia mji au ingawa asili na pet yako. Mbwa ni mbwa tu: tunategemea wamiliki wa mbwa kusaidia kuzuia suala kubwa. Vitu vyenye kuchafua kutoka kwa taka za wanyama-vipenzi ambazo hazijatolewa kwa njia inayofaa vinaweza kuingizwa katika mifereji ya maji machafu kwa sababu ya mvua au theluji inayeyuka. Kwa kawaida mifereji ya maji machafu hutiririka moja kwa moja kwenye maziwa na vijito vyetu, ikichukua uchafuzi mwingi pamoja na maji. Wakati taka za wanyama wa kufugwa zinapofuliwa kwenye maziwa au vijito, taka hizo huharibika na kutumia oksijeni, nyakati nyingine zikitokeza amonia. Kiwango cha chini cha oksijeni na amonia pamoja na halijoto ya joto vyaweza kuua samaki na wanyama wengine wa baharini. Pia, taka za wanyama-vipenzi zina virutubisho vinavyochochea ukuzi wa magugu na mwani. Maji yenye rutuba kupita kiasi huwa na mawingu na ya kijani kibichi ambayo si yenye kuvutia sana kwa kuogelea, kuendesha mashua na kuvua samaki. Kwa maana muhimu, taka za wanyama wa kufugwa zinaweza kubeba magonjwa ambayo hufanya maji yasiyo salama kwa kuogelea au kunywa. Wakati taka za wanyama wa kipenzi hazitupwi vizuri, afya yako inaweza kuwa hatarini nje ya njia zetu za maji pia. Wanyama wa kufugwa, watoto wanaocheza nje, na watu wazima wanaofanya kazi ya bustani ndio walio hatarini zaidi ya kuambukizwa virusi vinavyotokana na bakteria na vimelea vilivyopatikana katika taka za wanyama wa kufugwa. Nzi wanaweza pia kueneza magonjwa kupitia taka za wanyama. Kuna magonjwa au vimelea mbalimbali vinavyoweza kupitishwa kutoka kwa taka za wanyama-vipenzi hadi kwa wanadamu. Kwa hiyo, unapokusanya baada ya mnyama wako wa kufugwa hakikisha kwamba unijilinda pia! Mchuzi wa wanyama wako wa kipenzi huenda usiwe uchafuzi mkubwa au wenye sumu zaidi katika njia za maji za mijini, lakini ni moja ya vyanzo vingi vidogo vya uchafuzi vinavyoongeza tatizo kubwa. Kwa bahati nzuri, kuondoa taka za wanyama ni jambo rahisi ambalo tunaweza kufanya ili kusaidia kuweka maji safi. Wakati mwingine unataka kwenda kwa kutembea nzuri na pet yako, tafadhali kufurahia! Kuwa makini na kuwajibika na kuchukua baada ya pet yako. Kutofanya hivyo kungekuwa mchango wa moja kwa moja katika uchafuzi wa mazingira katika vitongoji vyetu, mbuga, na njia za maji. Timu ya Mtiririko wa Joe ni @JoesStreamTeam kwenye Facebook na Instagram. Mt Rainier Green Team hukutana Jumatatu ya pili ya kila mwezi katika Idara ya Polisi ya Mt Rainier kutoka 7:00 hadi 9:00 pm. Raia wote wanaopendezwa wanaalikwa kuhudhuria. Kwa maelezo zaidi, ajenda za mikutano na maandishi, na kalenda ya hivi karibuni tafadhali https: www.mountrainergreenteam.org au barua pepe: