Every gram of dog feces contains an average of 23 million E.coli bacteria, which poses a health threat for recreators swimming in Oak Creek. The PWS program identified locations within the Oak Creek corridor as potential sites for pet waste stations.

While we do not know how many pets may live in or visit the Oak Creek Watershed each year, the PWS program identified locations within the Oak Creek corridor as potential sites for Gladiator pet waste stations. There would be no cost for the station but the selected Homeowners Associations (HOAs) are responsible for installation as well as disposal and record keeping of bagged pet waste. The record keeping consists of weighing the total of bagged feces left in the station container and noting the date before disposal.

The data that the community collects helps the Oak Creek Watershed Council (OCWC) calculate the load reduction of E.coli in the Oak Creek Watershed. Together with data from about 15 to 20 other pet waste stations along the Oak Creek corridor in communities and at trailheads, we expect to reduce the impact of pet waste on the entire Creek.

This project funded the installation of pet waste stations at designated trailheads and popular dog walking areas in the Oak Creek Watershed. Fourteen stations were donated to the City of Sedona, fifteen stations donated to private HOA’s, and six stations donated to the United States Forest Service (USFS).

Since the beginning of the program in November 2013, the continued monitoring of the Pet Waste Station program has kept over 38,000 pounds of fecal matter out of the Oak Creek watershed!

If you are interested in this project, please contact Kelsey Whitaker, Project Manager, to set up an appointment to do a site survey and find out more about your community. We hope to find more funding in future grants to expand and continue this highly effective program!