Is it OK to pee outside?

Is it OK to pee outside?

Leaving urine or stool in a public place can create unsanitary conditions. Even if you do your best to clean the area, you’re still leaving behind germs and odors. Contrary to popular belief, urine is not sterile and contains certain levels of bacteria.

What to do if you have to pee while hiking?

Peeing on the trail is pretty straightforward: head away from water sources, the trail and campsites and find a private spot to go. Urine doesn’t have much effect on animals, plants or soil the way poop does. If possible, try to pee on rocks or gravel rather than plants.

Does peeing in the woods attract animals?

Pee, by any other name, still smells the same, and bears, lions, and other predators are interested in anything that smells interesting.

What happens to urine in nature?

Urine nutrients become pollution when they enter the watershed. In the US, the nutrients in urine often pass through wastewater treatment plants and into rivers, lakes, and bays. Once in the aquatic environment, excess nutrients (particularly nitrogen and phosphorus) can cause harmful algal blooms (HABs).