AMY SZPARA

LAPLACE – More than a few St. John the Baptist Parish residents were alarmed to find a letter from the parish this week, explaining a water contamination problem. However, parish officials say the situation was remedied months ago, and there is nothing to worry about. “This has been over with since February,” said Henry DiFranco, director of public works. “There is nothing to worry about. The water is OK to drink.” The letter causing the concern stated that District One was in violation of the maximum contaminant level of E. coli bacteria, set by the Louisiana State Sanitary Code. Four samples tested positive in February. The letter states the problem was believed to have been with the sampling site, not with an actual contamination. There is believed to have been no contamination of the water supply at all, said DiFranco. “The fourth sample put us over the threshold,” he said. “It was a sampling point problem, not contamination. There was an error in the reading.” The third paragraph of the letter to residents, a section required by the Environmental Protection Agency, speaks of drinking water standards and E. coli poisoning symptoms. According to DiFranco, that portion of the letter may be what frightened some people in the area. Since February, parish officials and the Department of Health and Hospitals have been discussing whether the letter is necessary. Finally, the DHH said the letter should be sent out, though officials say the water is testing clear now. “We determined it was a method problem, because we sent a certified person out and after the positive testing, the water was clear. Most people who have been here a while weren’t alarmed,” said DiFranco. “Just about every community water system goes through this.” The end of the letter explains that the water has been retested and that all samples have met the requirements of the EPA. According to DiFranco, after a bad sample is received, the parish has 72 hours to publish the information for the citizens to see. The letter was not sent out within 72 hours because the next tests were negative. There was nothing to report, said DiFranco. The parish tests 40 sample sites monthly, and since the February incident, the testing has met EPA water quality requirements. Testing is done both on the East and West banks of the parish. All questions should be directed to the St. John Utility Department.