At the Port Hope and Port Granby Wastewater Treatment Plants, a simple but innovative solution is making a noticeable difference for staff, visitors, and local wildlife alike.
A new electronic bird deterrent system introduced this summer is helping reduce bird activity inside plant buildings, improving workplace safety and supporting efficient operations while ensuring birds remain unharmed.
Birds such as pigeons, sparrows, and swallows were frequently finding their way into operational buildings, where they would gather and build nests on beams, equipment, and other structures. While their presence posed no significant environmental concern, nesting and bird droppings created housekeeping, maintenance, and biohazard issues for workers and visitors.
After exploring several approaches, staff turned to a technology that works with nature rather than against it. The new system uses a combination of bird distress signals and the calls of natural predators to encourage birds to relocate elsewhere. Strategically installed throughout both facilities, the electronic units periodically emit sounds that mimic threats birds would naturally avoid in the wild.
Since the system was installed in early July 2026, staff have observed a significant reduction in bird activity around operational areas at both wastewater treatment plants. They have also reported an absence of new nests and far fewer bird-related maintenance concerns, allowing teams to focus on their core work.
The success of the deterrent system reflects CNL’s ongoing commitment to finding practical solutions that balance operational needs with environmental stewardship. By using a non-invasive approach to wildlife management, the initiative continues to demonstrate how facilities can operate safely while respecting the surrounding natural environment.
