At the request of Chatfield State Park, GEI Consultants, Inc. completed a study to evaluate the potential influence of companion pets and their fecal wastes on microbial soil and water quality near the designated use area. Chatfield State Park maintains the Dog Training Area downgradient of the reservoir that is adjacent to two recreational ponds. The most commonly cited water quality concern as related to pet waste is microbial contamination, typically related to fecal coliforms. Fecal coliform bacteria are a sub-group of the total coliform group found in the feces of warm-blooded animals such as people, livestock, wildlife, and pets.
