The streets of Phoenix are getting cleaner, thanks to a new effort to tackle stormwater pollution, which includes the less-than-glamorous job of managing pet waste. The City of Phoenix Water Services Department has teamed up with Downtown Phoenix Inc. (DPI) in a five-year partnership aimed at getting residents to do their part in keeping the environment poo-free. The "Stop the Poo-lution" campaign kicked off in July, as reported by the City of Phoenix website.
Christine Nuñez, Environmental Programs Manager at Phoenix Water, highlighted the initiative's importance, saying, "We share a responsibility to protect our water quality with everyday actions." Her statement reinforces that small habitual changes by individuals can significantly impact the quality of water in the Valley. The project has already begun to show results, with nearly 500 pounds of pet waste collected within the first month, evidently illustrating the partnership's early success.
The stormwater that rushes over the city streets doesn't get treated and can pick up all sorts of pollutants, including pet waste, which then flows into local waterways. This initiative is a response to these environmental challenges and is combined with efforts to meet federal Clean Water Act permit requirements and comply with Arizona's State Surface Water Protection Program. Downtown Phoenix Inc. not only installs and maintains the 17 pet waste stations distributed across pet-friendly locations downtown but also gathers data to support community outreach for Phoenix Water.
Both organizations are set to host a media event on Friday, Sept. 19, to talk about the partnership's role in raising awareness of stormwater pollution. The event directly precedes Stormwater Awareness Week, starting Sept. 22, and aims to encourage community members to get directly involved in the protection efforts. In addition to the media event, there's a community event titled "Pawlooza in the Park" designed to engage residents with the initiative, as detailed by the Phoenix Water Services Department's announcement.
Phoenix Water is also inviting the public to participate in their virtual Stormwater Awareness Conference, further extending the reach of their educational campaign. Interested individuals can find more details and register for the upcoming conference by visiting Phoenix.gov/Stormwater. DPI, on the other hand, is not new to enhancing services for the downtown business core; Founded in 2013, the organization has been active in delivering municipal services and orchestrating events and marketing initiatives for the Greater Downtown area.
