ANIMAL WASTE

Animal waste effects our water quality by causing turbidity problems(clarity of water), increased runoff problems, and bacterial increases. Animal waste can get into the water as rains, snow melt, and flooding wash the waste material into the water.

Sign in Lenape Park requiring clean up.

 

 Cows in and next to the creek on a farm on Kellers Church Road in Bedminster Township.

In addition to direct run off, many farmers, use manure to fertilize their fields. This natural waste can cause some of the same problems as man-made fertilizers.

  There are many horse farms in Bedminster township. This fenced area for the horse is located next to the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek.

How this problem can be fixed is not known and many people say this problem cannot be fixed. Increasing numbers of ducks and geese winter-over in local waterways. The East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek, Lake Nockamixon, and Lake Galena are all experiencing problems with excessive animal waste from the birds. Various strategies are being tried to keep the birds from becoming too comfortable. Bringing in swans (natural enemies of geese), oiling eggs (so they don't hatch), and not feeding the waterfowl are strategies used in Perkasie and Sellersville to reduce the waterfowl problem. One of the most effective solutions being used today is to plant high grasses and shrubs along the water's banks. Geese will not land where they cannot see possible dangers.

Signs asking people to stop feeding the waterfowl are often ignored by people who don't understand what they are doing to the environment by encouraging waterfowl to stay at a location.

 
 Signs posted tell users of Lenape Park not to feed the wildlife.    Here a man feeds close to 100 ducks and geese in the winter of 2001.
   
 One of two swans purchased by Penn South Middle School students to assist with the waterfowl problem in the East branch of the Perkiomen Creek.    Swans , geese, and ducks tolerate each other as they are fed during the winter of 2001.

Factors Effecting Water Quality  Fertilizers  Fertilizer Concerns  Industrial Pollutants  Industrial Waste Solutions  Animal Waste  Controlling Runoff