How to Get Rid of Raccoons in Water Treatment Plants
Water treatment plants (WTPs) and wastewater facilities (WWFs) are mission-critical infrastructure where security and hygiene standards are absolute. Raccoons, seeking shelter and access to water, can compromise this essential barrier, risking mass contamination of the public water supply, extreme regulatory penalties, and critical equipment failure. This situation makes professional wastewater facility raccoon removal essential to maintaining public safety and regulatory compliance.
In this article, we'll look at the unique access points, the sevrious public health and regulatory liabilities created by raccoon infestation, and the only guaranteed, high-security method for permanent removal and site hardening.
Why Raccoons Target High-Security Water Facilities
- Guaranteed Water Source
These facilities offer accessible, open water (such as clarifiers, reservoirs, drains) and high humidity levels, which are irresistible to wildlife. Raccoon in particular are drawn to all things water; they prefer to rinse or "wash" their food before consumption and are quite accomplished swimmers.
- Warm, Protected Thermal and Utility Shelter
Pump houses are structures housing high-value, heat-generating motors and pumps.
Chemical storage voids offer shelter around chemical tanks and storage areas that trap heat.
- Underground Tunnels
Tunnels and pipe chases running beneath the facility allow for undetected movement as well as protection from larger predators.
- Vulnerability of Infrastructure
Raccoons exploit necessary gaps in facility security including unsecured manholes, lift stations, and drain gates.
- Utility Penetrations
Unsealed openings where electrical conduits or large pipes enter pump houses or administration buildings are easily exploited.
Risks of Raccoons in Water Treatment & Wastewater Facilities
Contamination Risks
Raccoon feces in filtration zones, influent areas, and sludge processing rooms enable parasites like raccoon roundworm & pathogens to enter treatment streams and allow cross-contamination between equipment, catwalks, and chemical handling areas.
Damage to Mechanical & Electrical Infrastructure
Raccoons chewing wiring for pumps, blowers, PLCs, and electrical conduits allow for interference with SCADA systems, sensors, and automation lines.
Damage to UV systems, ozone treatment equipment, chlorination panels, etc. is also possible.
Breach of Regulatory Compliance (Important for Municipal Facilities)
Water treatment is governed by strict municipal/provincial safety regulations, so any wildlife breach can trigger compliance violations, fines, and audits and even cause shutdowns.
Worker Safety Hazards
Intruding raccoons cause issues ranging from aggression near dens (mothers protecting their kits) to rabies & leptospirosis exposure and slip and fall hazards from feces near wet slabs or catwalks.
Disruption of 24/7 Continuous Operations
Raccoons blocking clarifier lanes, secondary room doors, or containment areas can shut down pumps or blowers, resulting in severe downtime and emergency repair costs.
Identifying Raccoon Activity in Water Treatment Facilities
When considering raccoon removal for water treatment plants, managers and operators should look for:
- Disturbed insulation around pipes and tanks
- Damaged or chewed wiring near pumps/SCADA panels
- Tracks around clarifiers or sludge dewatering areas
- Nesting inside blower rooms or chemical storage areas
- Access holes in roof membranes or vents
- Noise, such as scratching or thumping inside ducting or pipe chases
- Pungent, musky smell near warm mechanical rooms
Why Permanent Raccoon Removal Is the Only Effective Solution
Deterrents are rarely successful and relocation often fails in complex facilities with many re-entry points.
- Canada’s wildlife law: Raccoons must be released within 1 km, so the release site may still be on the property and there’s a 99% return rate, especially in plants they’ve mapped.
- Hawkeye has the legal license to trap and euthanize—guaranteeing permanent removal.
Hawkeye's Permanent Raccoon Removal for Water Treatment Plants
- The Hawkeye Permanent Guarantee
Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control holds the unique licenses in the GTA for permanent removal (humane euthanasia). This is the only guaranteed way to permanently eliminate the recurring source of contamination and restore security compliance.
- High-Security Protocol Requirements
Our trapping, removal, and exclusion work is done under strict security supervision (e.g., photo ID check, controlled entry/exit) to maintain facility bio-security. Meticulous use of double-bagging, specialized PPE, and HEPA-filtered vacuums ensures zero cross-contamination of clean areas and safe disposal of highly hazardous materials.
- Permanent Infrastructure Hardening
We advise or offer additional work to ensure the sealing of all utility penetrations and vulnerable access points with robust, long-term materials.
- Long-Term Monitoring Programs
We help with monitoring goals and a wildlife management plan for municipal plants, industrial wastewater facilities, and pumping stations. Quarterly or monthly wildlife inspections are available, as is emergency response.
Why Water Treatment Plants Choose Hawkeye
- Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control is the only GTA wildlife agent offering and guaranteeing permanent raccoon removal.
- We have extensive experience with municipal, industrial, and utility infrastructure.
- Our technicians under go ongoing safety-training for chemical plants, confined spaces and hazardous zones.
- We have the expertise and ability to comply with government procurement standards.
- A partnership with Hawkeye protects plant uptime and regulatory compliance.
FAQs for Water Treatment Plant Operations
Q: Can raccoons compromise water quality test results at treatment facilities?
A: Yes, raccoon feces in the water will absolutely compromise test results. Raccoon waste contains various pathogens and bacteria, including E. coli and the raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis).
Q: Can raccoons access clarifier bridges or floating equipment?
A: Raccoons can absolutely access these types of equipment, particularly if they're located close to the water. Despite their rolly-polly appearance, raccoons are very athletic and agile climbers.
Q: Are raccoons attracted to sludge or biosolids areas?
A: Yes, raccoons can be attracted to sludge and biosolids areas if they contain insects, invertebrates (grubs and worms) or other organic matter.
Q: Are raccoons known to enter pump stations or underground valve chambers?
A: Unfortunately, raccoons can enter just about any space that promises shelter from the elements and predators. It's note worthy that they can squeeze through very small openings... much smaller than one might think possible.
Q: Does finding raccoon feces on a pipe access platform require a complete service shutdown? Can raccoon infestations lead to treatment plant shutdowns?
A: A raccoon infestation could potentially lead to a plant shutdown, depending on the severity and company policy. It any case, raccoon feces is considered a biohazard that requires immediate and proper cleanup following specific safety protocols, and the area should be restricted until all cleanup is complete.
Q: Our facility uses chlorine. Will that kill the raccoons if they drink it?
A: Probably not. While large amounts of highly concentrated chlorine would likely be harmful or even fatal to a raccoon, chlorinated water generally won't kill them.
Q: How do we prevent raccoons from digging under the chain-link fence perimeter?
A: The fence needs to be buried at least one foot (12 inches) to deter raccoons from digging. A strand of electrified wire near ground level might also help.
Q: Raccoons are chewing wiring on the pump motor casings. What permanent barrier can be used?
A: You can certainly try heavy-duty wire mesh around sensitive equipment but keep in mind that raccoons are highly intelligent and determined. Chances are that they will find a way.
Q: What is the safest time of day to inspect suspected raccoon areas?
A: If your goal is to actually observe the animal coming or going and map its travel route, evening/overnight is your best bet. If you need to merely find signs of raccoon activity, any time of day will do.
Q: Can raccoons survive in warm pipe galleries or air-handling tunnels?
A: Oh definitely! In fact, these types of spaces make a near perfect winter den!
Protect Your Water Treatment Plant with Hawkeye
Raccoon intrusion into a water treatment facility is an unacceptable safety, public health, and compliance crisis. Due to the catastrophic risks involved, only a definitive, high-security, and permanent solution is viable.
Protect the public water supply and eliminate regulatory risk and contact Hawkeye today for a high-security inspection and the guaranteed, permanent raccoon removal solution.
If you're looking for wildlife control for water treatment facilities, Hawkeye's raccoon removal services are available all across Southern Ontario, including Toronto , Scarborough , Brampton, Vaughan , Markham , Ajax , Pickering , Newmarket , Etobicoke , Oshawa , and Mississauga.
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