FORT MYERS, Fla. - eTradeWire -- When performing lawn maintenance, the focus is generally on how to keep grass green and shrubbery blossoming. However, what may come as an afterthought is how pet waste can have impacts on lawns, or on a larger scale, Southwest Florida's waterways and the creatures within them.

While pet waste is natural, it can have detrimental effects on waterways. Due to its high nitrogen and phosphorus content, pet waste can contribute to noxious algae blooms that deplete oxygen from waterways and harm the creatures living in Southwest Florida's waterways. A half pound of dog waste can contain 5 billion fecal coliform bacteria and can spread parasites like hookworms, tapeworms and ringworms. Dog waste can also contain parvovirus, a highly contagious and dangerous disease in dogs.

Every day, more than 13 tons of dog waste is not properly disposed of in Lee County. Per Lee County Ordinance 14-22, Lee County residents must remove pet waste when not on their own property.

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Residents are encouraged to:

• Carry dog waste bags whenever you walk your pet. Be prepared to clean up after your dog, whether you're in your neighborhood, at a park or on a trail.
• Pick up waste promptly while away from home to prevent it from washing into storm drains or waterways.
• Regularly clean up your yard to keep lawns healthy and reduce harmful bacteria and nutrients that can run off into local creeks, canals and bays.

To highlight the importance of picking up pet waste, Lee County Natural Resources will be at GoldenFest XV from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Lee Health Sports Complex at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.

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In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lee County will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in its services, programs or activities. To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a reasonable modification to participate, contact Ranice E. Monroe, ADA Coordinator, 239-533-0255, Florida Relay Service 711, or ADArequests@leegov.com. Accommodation will be provided at no cost to the requester. Requests should be made at least five business days in advance.