Bird Prevention for Water and
Wastewater Facilities
Industries We Serve
Protecting Critical Infrastructure with Effective Bird Prevention
Water and wastewater treatment plants are essential to public health and environmental protection. These facilities process millions of gallons of water daily, ensuring communities have access to safe drinking water while responsibly treating wastewater. Given their importance, it is critical to protect these facilities from nuisance birds such as Canada geese, gulls, pigeons, and swallows.
The combination of open water, elevated surfaces, and ample structures makes these facilities highly attractive to birds. Once established, they bring sanitation risks, maintenance concerns, and safety hazards. At Wild Goose Chase, we provide specialized bird prevention programs that safeguard treatment plants from these issues, protecting both operations and employees.
Industries We Serve
Common Problem Areas at Treatment Plants
Birds are opportunistic and adapt easily to the environments found at and around water and wastewater facilities. Typical problem areas include:
- Open Water Basins
- Sludge Drying Beds
- Rooftops and Elevated Ledges
- Tanks, Pipes, and Treatment Equipment
Without a bird prevention program, these areas quickly become gathering sites for flocks, resulting in long-term challenges for facility managers.
Understand the Problem
The Damage Birds Cause
Property and Asset Damage
Bird droppings and nesting materials damage roofs, signage, and sensitive treatment equipment. On pipes and tanks, droppings can corrode surfaces and shorten the lifespan of critical assets.
Health Risks for Facilities
Bird droppings are highly acidic with pH levels ranging from 3.5 to 4.5. When left unaddressed, they can alter water chemistry. This creates a ripple effect, forcing plants to use additional chemicals to maintain compliance with water quality standards. Droppings can also introduce dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella, contaminate work areas, and increase health risks for staff.
Human Health and Safety Concerns
Accumulated droppings create unsanitary working conditions and slip hazards for employees and contractors. In some cases, unionized staff have refused to work in unsafe conditions until long-term solutions were implemented. Aggressive bird behavior during nesting season also creates risks, as geese and gulls can attack employees or visitors when defending their nests.
Our Services
Bird Prevention Solutions for Water and Wastewater Plants
Wild Goose Chase designs tailored programs that provide bird prevention strategies suited to the unique challenges of treatment facilities. We use effective methods to reduce risks and protect critical infrastructure.
Automated Laser Systems
Laser deterrents are highly effective at dispersing birds from rooftops, tanks, and open water basins. The moving laser beam is perceived as a threat, conditioning birds to avoid the facility over time.
Population Control Programs
Nest and egg management help reduce flock growth in a humane and compliant manner. By addressing populations directly, plants avoid recurring issues year after year.
Bird Harassment Programs
Specially trained dogs provide a safe, humane way to discourage geese from gathering on lawns, rooftops, and other open areas. For challenging terrains, including ones with extensive water features, we combine canine harassment with motorized boats and handheld lasers to fully push geese off your property
Site Evaluations and Consulting
Our consulting services combine decades of hands-on experience with a strong foundation in bird biology and practical problem-solving. From properties affected by multiple species to long-standing bird challenges or sites with strict environmental and operational standards, our team provides clear, science-driven solutions that work in the real world.
Water & Wastewater Facilities
Benefits of Bird Prevention for Facility Managers
Choosing a prevention-first approach creates long-term value for water and wastewater treatment plants. Benefits include:
- Reduced Maintenance Costs Protecting equipment and infrastructure from droppings and nesting debris lowers repair and water treatment budgets.
- Regulatory Compliance Preventing contamination supports safe water treatment and compliance with public health standards.
- Safer Work Environments Employees and contractors can work without the risk of slips, illness, or aggressive bird encounters.
- Operational Efficiency With fewer interruptions from nuisance birds, facilities operate more smoothly and reliably.
- Community Trust Clean, well-maintained facilities reflect positively on municipalities and utilities, reinforcing public confidence.
Our Services
Why Partner with Wild Goose Chase?
- Specialized Experience: More than 25 years providing professional bird prevention services for critical facilities.
- Biology-driven Approach: Our solutions are developed by bird biologists to ensure they work on the specific species present.
- Proven Results: Our prevention programs have reduced gull and goose activity at some of the nation’s largest water purification plants.
- Compliant & Insured: We follow federal and state laws when working with birds and have commercial level liability insurance to cover complex jobs.
Protect Your Facility with Bird Prevention
Water and wastewater treatment facilities play an irreplaceable role in protecting public health. Don’t let nuisance birds create risks that threaten compliance, safety, and efficiency.
Call (708) 529-3858 or submit a form today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help protect your facility.