Parish President Mike Cooper ceremoniously broke ground on the next phase of the largest water infrastructure investment in parish history Tuesday, two water towers benefiting the Cross Gates Water System.
The $6.8 million project providing two 400,000-gallon elevated water tanks, is part of the first phase of the East St. Tammany Water Consolidation.
The entire initiative totals $23 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, and includes six miles of new water main, a new well, two generators and remote monitoring technology.
At the groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday, President Cooper was joined by councilmen Jeff Corbin and David Cougle, as well as Department of Utilities staff and project contractors.
Once completed, the first phase of the East St. Tammany Water Consolidation will benefit 8,100 citizens. In addition to providing new infrastructure, the consolidation will provide secondary water sources, offer much needed storage capacity and fire protection and provide resiliency through severe, significant weather.
St. Tammany Parish Government also actively pursued and was awarded $62 million for Water Sector Phase 2, focusing on creating resiliency, consolidating water systems and improving water quality within Department of Utilities systems in Slidell and the Madisonville/Covington areas.
