By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE — St. John the Baptist Parish Council introduced a resolution to help find funding for a regional water plant to improve the drinking water system.

CDM Engineering Firm, out of Baton Rouge, worked with the Parish in researching a location, size and other factors that would be needed for a regional plant. The research was part of the $9.5 million bond issue approved last July, according to Director of Public Utilities Ralph Bean.

“This gives them the authority to secure funding for a long-term solution to the drinking water problem, ” said Councilman Steve Lee. “One of the many options for funding would be a state loan with a low interest rate and it would be a matter of just filling out a loan application.”

Lee said CDM now has the approval to find as much funding as possible.

“If we do get a loan, it doesn’t mean we will use it,” Lee said. “It is just one of the

numerous options. We want to try and get Federal funding as well.”

Bean said there are many ways to find funding for this plant.

“There is State and Federal Funding,” Bean said. “There is also the Louisiana Rural Water Association and grant money that could be used in an addition to a loan.”