LAPLACE — In an effort to reduce wastewater overflows due to lift station failure, telemetry — automatic controls, water level indicators, alarms and shut down features — was installed in 50 lift stations throughout the East Bank and West Bank of the parish.

Telemetry is the automatic measurement and the transmission of data by wire, radio or other means from remote sources to receiving stations for recording and analysis.

“Hurricane Isaac and recent severe weather events are more frequently occurring, and I am pleased that we are continuing to complete projects Parishwide that will not only protect our infrastructure systems from vulnerabilities but ultimately protect our residents and most-needed services,” St. John Parish President Natalie Robottom said.

As required by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, the systems are programed to alert Parish personnel of equipment malfunctions at the lift stations beforehand, enable the lift stations to operate more efficiently and also reduce power cost.

Funded through the Parish sewage fund, the $1.3 million project will also assist with relieving customers who suffer from wastewater problems during heavy rain events and the prevention of unsanitary wastewater overflows during failures.

Construction was administered by I.C.E Sales and Services of Des Allemands. The lift station project addressed the most-vulnerable stations, but there is a plan in place to construct telemetry at all St. John lift stations.

Other Utilities Projects completed that will provide contingency during emergencies include damaged Hurricane Isaac lift stations with submersible pumps, permanent generators at wastewater treatment plants, a waterline connection to St. Charles Parish, waterline connecting the Lions Water Plant to the Edgard Water plant and the Wastewater rehabilitation project which reduces inflow and infiltration of rain water into the wastewater collection system.

A project to raise the electrical components at Ruddock Water Stations 1 and 2 is also in design.

— Submitted by St. John the Baptist Parish