LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – City crews worked to remove dead geese from the City of Lubbock’s North Water Treatment Plant.
The KCBD Investigates Team observed City of Lubbock personnel and Canadian River Water Municipal Authority workers on site with construction equipment Monday, removing and burying the birds nearby.
The City of Lubbock confirmed a large number of dead birds were located near the treatment plant but said there is no public threat to the water supply.
“As always, treatment and testing measures were utilized to keep the chemical levels in the water surpassing Safe Drinking Water Standards established by the EPA and TCEQ,” Lacey Rose with the City of Lubbock said.
Rose said city crews followed recommendations from Texas Parks & Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife and buried the dead birds following proper disposal protocols instead of risking the transfer of all the carcasses to the landfill.
Rose confirmed departments within the City of Lubbock, in conjunction with Texas Parks & Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife, have been working to properly dispose of carcasses all over the city.
The increased number of sick and dying birds in the area is related to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza currently circulating in the wild bird population in Texas.
Though there have been no local human cases of the bird flu, it is highly contagious if a person handles a dead bird. Officials recommend not touching dead or sickly birds, but if someone must, they need to wear proper protective gear.
If you see a dead or injured bird, contact Lubbock Animal Services at 806-775-2057.
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