LAPLACE — The public is invited to attend a St. John the Baptist Parish Council-led Water Meter Workshop at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the Joel McTopy Chambers in LaPlace.

According to parish officials, the workshop will be held in reference to Utility Water Meters.

Frustration continues to mount across the parish as angst and confusion have reigned for two years concerning expiring registers that provide inaccurate readings and create inflated water bills.

Several options have previously been discussed, including manual reading, hiring independent contractors to read the meters or an upgraded system.

Parish Chief Administrative Officer Laverne Toombs told Council members earlier this month that St. John has been pre-approved for a $6 million Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality low-interest loan that would fund Smart Meter Technology.

The technology is designed to improve meter reading, billing, leak detection and improve utility billing, which has been another source of contention. Toombs said once the specifications have been completed, reviewed and approved by LDEQ, and the loan closed, the project could go out for bid if approved.

She said the total completion time is 16 months from the start date.