LAPLACE — The end of a multi-year struggle with inflated water bills is in sight, with installation of new Advanced Metering Infrastructure projected to begin in April 2019 and end in April 2020.

St. John Parish Utilities Director Blake Fogleman said the construction phase breaks the parish into six areas, and residents can expect to see gradual progress throughout the year.

New water meters will have accurate readings, smart leak detection and software allowing homeowners and business owners to track their water usage on an hour-by-hour basis.

The first group of residents could have upgraded, functioning water meters by early summer, though Fogleman said there’s a chance of delay if obstructions are encountered.

“In every construction project, we come across something, but we work through it and move on,” Fogleman said. “It’s the nature of the business. The expectation is that each cycle would be completed fully, and then we’d move onto the next one so there aren’t any issues in transition. We’re not waiting until the last meter is put in the ground to turn them all on.”

Construction should not impact water bill readings, Fogleman said.

The Advanced Metering project, scheduled on a 16-month timeline, started early this month with the closing of a $6 million loan from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.

The loan term is 20 years with a .95 percent interest rate, according to Parish administration. Funds are delivered in a reimbursement style that allows the Parish to receive money as it is spent.

LDEQ provided funding for the AMI system because it is environmentally conscious, allowing residents to become more mindful of how much water they use, according to Fogleman.

He will go before the St. John Parish Council Jan. 8 to ask for authorization to bid the project. That process will take about a month, and a notice to proceed with construction should be finalized in early spring.

The precise budget will be publicized when a contractor is selected, Fogleman said, adding the cost will hover around $6 million in accordance with the LDEQ loan.

“The cost will be based around our funding source,” Fogleman said. “There aren’t other funding sources being used outright. There may be a little bit of bond money to cover administrative costs, but we’re waiting on the bidding to see what cost the project comes in at. If we are able to get it under budget, I might add a few bells and whistles to the project.”

Residential meters have a lifespan of 20 years, comprising a majority of the project, while larger meters to be placed near businesses have an industry standard 10-year lifespan.

St. John Parish Council members have discussed setting aside funds for replacement once the system reaches end-of-life to avoid repeating mistakes that led to residents being overcharged for the past two years, Fogleman said.

Emma Roccaforte, owner of two businesses and two residences in Garyville, is among those who have experience long-standing issues.

Over the past three months, Roccaforte said she has called the Parish numerous times to address a water leak that has eroded her driveway. She said the leak was likely linked to higher monthly charges experienced by her neighbors, including her sister-in-law.

“My complaint is negligence in the Parish letting this water run and letting other people be charged for water running freely,” Roccaforte said. “I want to get some accurate readings. The big thing is, you’re putting in a new system, but does it take care of all the old piping where these water leaks are?”

The AMI project only addresses installation of meters, according to Fogleman, who said residents should see immediate impact in their bills with the new system.

“Old infrastructure is a challenge across the state, unfortunately, but it takes separate funds to do that type of work with the piping,” Fogleman said. “If there’s any issue, we handle that on an individual basis.”

Fogleman said the utilities staff has worked hard to address widespread issues while waiting on the upgrade.

“This is a long time coming, and it’s going to be great for both the residents and the staff,” Fogleman said.

Public notices issued after installation will detail instructions on how to log into the system and track readings.

For more information, call 985-652-9569.