Duck deterrents installed at Wastewater Treatment Plant

September 9, 2008

(Red Deer, Alberta) – Industrial neighbours of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, users of Three Mile Bend park and Riverbend Golf Course will be hearing some uncommon noises coming from the treatment plant.

In order to deter ducks from landing in lagoons at the plant, The City has installed cannon-like noise makers that are used to keep ducks from landing in areas where it is not safe. The devices were loaned to The City from the Alberta Conservation Association.

“We recently encountered several dead ducks in one of the solids storage lagoons and even though the cause of the deaths is unknown, we want to do everything we can to keep ducks away until the cause is clear,” said Geoff Stewardson, Wastewater Superintendent.

The noise makers were installed this week at the plant and will start to make noises to keep the ducks away during the fall migratory season. Once the city has gone through the first cold snap of winter, the noise makers will be shut down. Once spring returns, The City will reevaluate the cause of the deaths and decide if and when the noise makers need to be reactivated.

“Until we know the cause of the birds’ deaths, we will take every precaution to protect the wildlife surrounding the Wastewater Treatment Plant. We are saddened by the deaths of the ducks and hope to have an answer soon about the cause and we can move forward to proactively do whatever we can to stop this sort of thing from happening in the future,” Stewardson said.

Representatives from Alberta Fish and Wildlife say it is common to see ducks die during the late summer and early fall due to natural causes. When staff at the treatment plant encountered the dead ducks, protocol for reporting deceased animals to Alberta Fish and Wildlife was followed.

                                                                - end -

For more information, contact:

Geoff Stewardson                                         Tom Marstaller
Wastewater Superintendent                           Environmental Services Manager
The City of Red Deer                                     The City of Red Deer
403-342-8756                                                403-342-8755