Many U.S. authorities advise their website visitors to flush dog poo down the toilet. This advice applies only to households served by sanitary sewage lines, not septic tanks.
Unlike runoff after a rain, sewage from your toilet flows to water treatment centers that destroy dangerous bacteria. So if it's OK in your area, why not do the sustainable thing.
Why flush?
Needs no fossil fuel for collection and transport
Stops dog poo from polluting land and public waterways
Keeps poo out of landfill where it emits methane.
Follow the rules: The three P’s!
All water treatment facilities say flush only poop, pee and (toilet) paper. No bags!
Below are U.S. authorities by location that support dog poop flushing.
Call your local wastewater authority to see if your area is allowed to flush.
If they say "yes," ask if they are willing to share this option at their website.
Let us know if they post the option and we'll add them to our list!
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Serving the Community of Westminster and Midway City
Midway also collects dog waste in green organics carts for composting.
Delaware
Florida
Hawaii
Indiana
Kansas
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Nantucket also accepts un-bagged pet waste as part of its community composting program
Michigan
Missouri
New Hampshire
New York
New York City - includes the Flushing neighborhood in Queens :-)
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
The Division says to flush dog and cat poop (no litter!) down the toilet.
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Don't want to flush dog poop down your household toilet? You can deposit it directly into an outdoor sewer line using a Doggie Doo Drain or do-it-yourself method. If your area is not listed above, call your wastewater authority to see if you can dispose of dog poop via public sewage.
See this Aussie student video for more information on the environmental benefits of flushing and why some water treatment plants discourage flushing "dog poo down the loo." In addition to insufficient capacity, pathogen overload and dog hair clogging pipes may be stated as concerns.
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