LAPLACE – The St. John the Baptist Parish Utilities Department has begun construction on a water tower altitude valve project.

St. John Parish received the award of $5.5 million in October 2013, and this is the first of the four projects in the construction that is being funded through the Department of Health and Hospitals’ Office of Public Health Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Program.

The project includes installation of new altitude valves and appropriate piping and supports on four water towers throughout the parish to improve water pressure in the water towers.

Designed by Environmental Engineering Services LLC of LaPlace, the

project is being constructed by Mitchell Contracting Inc. of Covington at a cost of $332,850. The project is expected to be complete by June 2014.

The Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Program will also fund three other projects, including upgrades to the Lions Pump Station, replacement of old filters at the Lions Water Treatment Plant and the installation of a water line under the Mississippi River.