When it rains it pours for Garyville residents’ sewer problems
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, February 28, 2007
By BEN LUNDIN
Staff Reporter
GARYVILLE – Residents in Garyville who have trembled in fear for years when rain falls, because it means another day they can’t use their bathroom, may soon be saved from the terrifying results of the stormy heavens.
Approximately 70 homes in Garyville have suffered from sewer stoppage during rainy weather for 15 years, because of a dated sewer lift station on Museum Street that can’t pump water fast enough to keep pace with the rainfall.
However, in February the St. John Parish Council agreed in a 5-2 vote that the issue must be resolved within 120 days.
The council arrived at the decision with some dispute, following Parish Engineer Chuck Savoie’s claim that a fix couldn’t be completed within that timeframe.
Savoie said parts wouldn’t arrive before 90 days, and engineers can’t fix the lift within a month.
“You can request it, but I don’t think you’re going to get it done,” he said.
“Frankly I’m not willing to hear this business about how we’re planning to get it done,” St. John Councilman Cleveland Farlough said. “For seven years since I’ve been on this council this problem has gone on.”
The necessary repairs include increasing the size of the pumps at a lift station on Museum Street, modifying the Garyville sewer plant to support more water, and making various infrastructure changes to prevent stormwater from entering the lift station.
Although the council agreed that the improvements must be made within 120 days, Councilman Allen St. Pierre said they will be satisfied if parish engineers show significant progress within that time frame.
“We just want to hold the engineers to whatever construction may occur and make sure they’re not dragging their feet,” he said. “Hopefully we can free the people until we can get the new regional plant.”
The affected area includes blocks on Garyville Northern Street, Historic East Street, South Apple Street, and Anthony F. Monica Street, according to St. Pierre.
Council members Dale Wolfe, Lester Rainey, Jr., Allen St. Pierre, Cheryl Millet and Cleveland Farlough voted in favor of the resolution. Sean Roussel and Jaclyn Hotard voted against it, Steve Lee abstained and Ronnie Smith was absent.