| 3300 Munster Boulevard; Meraux, LA 70075 AREA: |
| 07/01/2006 48 Months |
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This project will:
• Consolidate eight (8) Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) into one facility
• Eliminate two nonconforming sites
• Remove one from a national park
• Increase the treatment capacity to 18 mgd from 8 mgd.
• Install new force mains from all decommissioned plants to Munster Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• Convert the Riverbend site from oxidation pond to flow equalization pond
• Increase the Munster plant capacity from 10 mgd to 18 mgd with new facility.
• Decommission five wastewater treatment plants and convert them to sewage pumping stations.
• Provide flood and storm protection at all facilities.
Benefits of this project include:
• Reduced operating costs
• Consolidated operations
• Reduced operating staff
• Reduced future maintenance
• Lower overall treatment cost
• Improved effluent quality
• Improved energy efficiency
• Address EPA concerns over the quality of the effluent
• Effluent from the new consolidated plant will meet regulatory requirements.
• Creates a sustainable new wastewater system in lieu of repairing several separate plants. As a complete project, this represents the best stewardship of public funds.
• Addresses the needs and issues described in the pre-Katrina project, consultants, EPA, LADEQ, parish public works department and the citizen’s recovery work group.
As a result of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, all of the Parish’s eight (8) wastewater treatment facilities suffered severe wind and water damage to treatment units’ equipment, motors, control centers, power distribution gear, transformers, lighting and underground electric wiring, and equipment contained in the administration buildings.
The Department of Public Works of St Bernard Parish is planning to consolidate wastewater treatment facilities into one central facility which is part of a mitigation plant that has been adopted by the Parish Council. The Department had commissioned the Engineering Consulting firm of Camp Dresser & McKee, Inc. (CDM) to conduct a damage assessment program, study the situation and make recommendations. This project is based on the results of the study and recommendations by CDM.
This project has the full support of the Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee of the Citizens Recovery Commission (CRC) which is composed of private citizens of all walks of life within St. Bernard Parish. The project also has direct impact on low-moderate income segment of the community. The 2000 census shows that 34% of the parish households have a household income less than 75% of the median.
This project is essential for the health and safety of the community and to promote future economic growth and enhance the quality of life in the parish. A reliable wastewater treatment system in the parish is necessary to rebuild its economic base. This project will service the new medical village and residential development in St. Bernard Parish. Public health and safety, economic development, housing, fire protection, human services, and emergency preparedness depend on safe and adequate water supply and code compliant wastewater treatment facility. Another key element in the economic development of St. Bernard Parish is the proposed St. Bernard Port Expansion. It is anticipated that the new facility in the Violet area will create 1000 new jobs which means substantial increase in the population of St. Bernard.
The project will also consider discharging the treated effluent into the marsh land thus improving the quality of water in the Mississippi River and will introduce nutrients into the marsh land.
For cost estimates, please see Appendix 1 under the Maps/Images tab above.
Parish-wide essential critical service.
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