Concern in Letcher County is growing because of a messy problem with large birds at a lake in Jenkins.

Canadian geese and Mallard ducks are creating the problems. Richard Lewis, who lives in Jenkins, right across from the lake says, "It's not robins and sparrows. These are geese; just about next to a cow...cow pies." The droppings are getting into a lake that is a main source of water for the area.

"Now we're going to have to drink it. that's what concerns me" Lewis says. The Kentucky Division of Water is aware of the problem, but says this is nothing out of the ordinary.

"Wildlife is a source of water contamination, which is why we have important measures in place for drinking water treatment plants to disinfect water," says Allison Jenkins, of the KY Division of Water.

However, people in the area aren't just concerned that the water in the lake is becoming contaminated. They're also frustrated because the mess the animals are leaving behind is making it difficult to just walk around.

"We would like to be able to walk to the post office. we would like to be able to walk around the block without having to clean our feet," Lewis says. Officials with the Division of Water say people need to be careful about making the ducks and geese feel too welcome.

"There are things we can do to reduce contamination," Fleck says, "In the case of a problem with ducks and geese, people should be discouraged from feeding them."

Lewis says he'd like to see people take more responsibility. "If they want to feed them, that's fine. But then, they need to clean up after them."

People in Jenkins also expressed concerns that with more chemicals needed to treat the contamination, water rates for the city could increase.