July 31, 2015 – Pups will lead the way to cleaner water when the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) launches Pups 4 Clean Water at "Pup Crawl 2015: The Big Sit!" on Saturday, August 1 at 6:30 p.m. on the Roberto Clement Bridge in Pittsburgh. The new program will create a clean water army of dogs and their human companions to help keep our rivers and streams clean.

"Having a pup can be magical, but even they can’t make their doggie doo disappear," said Jeanne K. Clark, ALCOSAN’s Public Information Officer. "Pet waste is a significant cause of water pollution, especially in areas where there are high concentrations of dogs. The solution is easy: Snag it, bag it, and trash it! That will keep the dog poop out of the storm sewers and out of our rivers and streams."

"Pup Crawl 2015: The Big Sit!" is a joint fundraiser for the Humane Society of Western Pennsylvania, Animal Friends, and the Animal Rescue League. The groups aim to set a world record for the ‘Most Dogs Sitting Simultaneously.’ Just before the countdown to the Big Sit!, ALCOSAN’s Chair of the Board (and Allegheny County Treasurer,) John K. Weinstein, will deputize the dogs as spokesdogs for Pups 4 Clean Water and will lead their human companions in a pledge to "promise to ‘doo my doo-ty’ and Pick Up Poop!"

While the pledge is lighthearted, the need to pick up pet waste is serious. Pet waste carries bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can threaten the health of humans and wildlife. Left unscooped, it can contaminate yards, parks, and playgrounds, and run off into streams. Dumped into storm sewers, it goes directly to our rivers, where decaying pet waste consumes oxygen and releases ammonia. Low oxygen levels and ammonia can damage the health of fish and other aquatic life. Additionally, it contains nutrients that promote weed and algae growth, which makes swimming and recreation unappealing or even unhealthy. Putting it in the trash solves the problems.

"We’re urging all pups and their humans to sign the pledge to pick up poop," said Clark. "In return, ALCOSAN has great perks for the pets, and biodegradable bags for their humans. Pup Crawlers will get these goodies at the Saturday night event; others can take the pledge online at www.Pups4CleanWater.com and we will send them pup gear."

"This is one more way that we humans can all work together to make our rivers and streams cleaner and healthier – and make our region a better place to live, work, and play," said Clark. "Visit the ALCOSAN website (www.alcosan.org) for more information – or better yet, humans (no room for dogs, sorry) should come to our free Open House on Saturday, September 19 from 9 to 4 -- and join our clean water army!"

 ALCOSAN is one of the region’s premiere environmental and public health organizations, treating wastewater for 83 Allegheny County communities, including the City of Pittsburgh. The Authority enhances the community’s quality of life and safety by working to protect drinking water, rivers and streams, and making the Pittsburgh region a great place to live, work, and play. ALCOSAN’s 59-acre treatment plant processes up to 250 million gallons of wastewater daily, and is one of the largest such facilities in the Ohio River Valley.