Pet Waste Program Improves Rio Fernando Watershed Health

The Rio Fernando de Taos watershed has been plagued by E. coli contamination across all three of its river segments, posing ongoing risks to public health, recreation, and the six historic acequias that depend on the river for agricultural water delivery. Pet waste has been identified as a contributing source of this pollution, affecting residents, visitors, wildlife habitat, and the broader Rio Grande watershed. When a volunteer with the Rio Fernando de Taos Revitalization Collaborative recognized the need to expand the Rio Fernando Pet Waste Program that they coordinate along the river each week, they reached out to LOR for support. LOR’s funding will help Amigos Bravos expand the program by installing four new pet waste disposal stations, purchasing collection and sanitation supplies—including compostable bags, trash liners, hand sanitizer, gloves, cleaning supplies, and graffiti removal materials—and providing gas cards to support weekly volunteer cleanups. Expanding the program will increase watershed coverage and reduce a documented source of E. coli contamination, helping improve water quality for residents, agricultural and recreational users, and the approximately 200 native species that depend on this important watershed corridor in Taos County.