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Philadelphia Water Department Searching For Spokesdogs To Improve Water Quality
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The Philadelphia Water Department is searching for a “spokesdog” worthy of the title Philly Water’s Best Friend. Dog owners residing in East Falls, Manayunk, and Roxborough have until November 28 to make their pooch eligible for the competition’s grand prize, a $200 gift card to a local pet store.
The purpose of the Philly Water’s Best Friend Competition is to reduce water pollution. Organizers plan to accomplish this by teaching pet owners about the importance of picking up dog waste.
A total of 20 finalists will be chosen in February by virtue of online voting; 10 from East Falls and 10 from Manayunk and Roxborough. Two winners will then be chosen by a panel of judges at competitions in each neighborhood next spring. Afterward, each winner will have one year to attend three community events where they will hand out bag dispensers and educational tip cards.
“Believe it or not, dog waste is a number-one concern for citizens who express reservations about planting trees or greening their properties,” said Joanne Dahme, general manager of public affairs at the Philadelphia Water Department. “Our goal is to work creatively with riverside communities to reduce this pollution, which results in tainted stormwater runoff flowing into our rivers and streams, by using common-sense solutions, like picking up after your pet.”
Contrary to popular opinion, dog waste is not environmentally friendly, nor is it a fertilizer. Dog waste is a pollutant that spreads whenever rain or melting snow washes it into storm drains. This runoff causes bacteria, parasites and algae to collect in local waterways, like the Wissahickon Creek and Schuylkill River. Fortunately, this can be prevented. All owners have to do is flush their dog’s waste down the toilet or discard it in the trash using a biodegradable bag.
To enter your dog, visit the Philly Water’s Best Friend Competition webpage. For more information, please call the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary at 800-445-4935, extension 112.
Sponsors for this program include the East Falls Development Corporation, Manayunk Development Corporation, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, and the Philadelphia Water Department.
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10/4/2010 |
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