(Editor’s note: This story have been updated since first publishing to more accurately report Councilman Snyder’s statements)

LAPLACE — St. John Parish Councilman Larry Snyder wants to dig a new well in Ruddock, essentially providing backup to LaPlace in case existing parish infrastructure goes down.

“We have a well and a half (there is a smaller well with less capacity in Ruddock),” Snyder said. “If that well goes out back there, it could stop or reduce flow. That could happen. We’ve been lucky.”

The District 6 representatives shared his thoughts at last week’s Parish Council meeting.

St. John Parish has agreements with St. James and St. Charles parishes to provide water in emergencies, but those amounts would be greatly reduced compared to normal capacity.

Utilities Director Blake Fogleman said the cost of running a new 24-inch line from Ruddock is estimated at $4 to $5 million, and construction would take up to a year, depending on weather and tide conditions.

Potential solutions to increasing water capacity in Reserve were also briefly discussed, with Snyder saying the Parish’s capacity needs to be discussed.

“I was told by our bonding attorney we have a lot of money left,” he said.

Snyder instructed the administration to get with the parish’s financial advisor and bond attorney and that he expects a report by April 24.

— By Richard Meek