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Opelousas Water System desperately needs repairs, city engineer says
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OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) -- A survey of the Opelousas water system shows it is below the standard in a wide range of categories. With the large number of problems they're having, it will require costly solutions if progress is to be made.
The survey was done by the Louisiana Department of Health. Opelousas city engineer William Jarrell presented the issues during a special public meeting with the city council. He also showed the System Improvement Plan to identify the problems and recommend solutions to bring the system up to standard.
"Every well has some issues that need to be addressed. Your water treatment facility has to be upgraded or rehabilitated. You distribution system has excessive number of leaks and the high amount of water losses and your storage facilities. All of them need work. So pretty much everything in your system," Jarrell said.
With issues at every stage of the water system, Jarell said it will take extensive work to upgrade the treatment facility, water lines, and storage facility after decades of negligence.
Jarrell estimated that it would cost about $29 million to repair.
"So to get your system up to standards right now, you're looking at about $29 million. And you're looking at the end of 2028 before you would finish with that. You do not have the funds to start now. So, every delay that you have until you get the funding will push that date back," he said.
On top of the expensive repairs, Jarrell said the city also has a lack of educated and qualified personnel to work at the facilities.
"If you do all of these improvements and spend all of this money and you don't address your staffing shortages and your management issues, you're wasting money," he said.
Jarell told the council action needs to be taken before it's too late.
"If you do nothing, your system is going to fail. You're not going to be able to furnish water to your customers. And it would result in a regulatory takeover of your system," he said.