Water lines were the big topic of discussion at the April 14 meeting of the Mamou Town Council. Robert McGee, the wastewater superintendent for Mamou, explained the Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) audit of the town’s sewer system. Whatever is not in compliance with the DEQ, Mamou will correct the problems. McGee said he and other engineers are trying to resolve issues with the sewer system. When there is a heavy rain, the water flow to the sewer plant is doubling or even tripling so that citizens have trouble flushing their toilets.
McGee explained when the waste water goes into the plant, it goes through a two-cell irrigation pond, and each cell takes 16 days each before going to another 30-day wait period. When it rains, there’s too much fresh water getting into the system. Leaves are also a big problem.
“Even when it’s not raining, the system is still taking on way too much,” said Mayor Ricky Fontenot. He said when the new water meters are installed and people start fixing their leaks, it will help.
McGee said he will do a smoke test on the sewer lines to see where there are problems, but said that could take some time because he and only one other employee handle 25 acres at the sewer plant, 20 pump stations, and the lines throughout the town.
The council also introduced a proposal to revoke the dedication of the undeveloped extension of Fontenot Street in the Lelma Duos Subdivision area. All the property that was on that proposed extension would revert to the continuous land owners who run on each side of the extension.
In other business, the council announced a public hearing will be held May 12 at 5:30 p.m. before the regular council meeting. The hearing is for a proposed October 9 special election to renew the town’s 10-year ad valorem property tax.
A public hearing will also be held Monday, April 19 at 5:30 p.m. regarding the sale of bonds to finance the water improvements project.
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Nancy Duplechain
Associate Editor