3 Weeks After Laura, 13 Municipal Water Systems In Louisiana Partially Or Completely Down
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Waterworks District 7, located in Cameron Parish, where the storm came ashore, was pummeled by the wind and water. Primeaux, the Waterworks District president, said that debris struck fire hydrants, snapping them off. Electric motors that pump water from the districts supply wells were damaged. With fewer than 7,000 residents, Cameron is one of the states least populated parishes but it took the brunt of the storm. Its a lot of catastrophe, Primeaux told Circle of Blue.
Nearly three weeks after the storm, Water Works District 7, which serves about 927 people, is still not operating. No residents have yet returned to the area because the destruction to homes and property was so extensive, and Primeaux does not know when water will flow again. Were down right now, Primeaux said. Well be down for a while.
The district has plenty of company in that regard. The Louisiana Department of Health, as of Monday afternoon, counted 33 water systems that are partly or fully inoperable. Some of those systems are operated by gas stations or refineries and do not serve homes. The others are essential public infrastructure. Thirteen of the damaged systems are community water systems like Water Works District 7, which provide water to residences. In total, those 13 systems serve just over 8,000 people.
Not all systems are as badly damaged as District 7, though. Waterworks District 10, also in Cameron Parish, is faring a bit better. The district lost a building at one of its well sites and debris entered a water storage tank, according to Rhonda Morrison, the office administrator. One of the biggest losses was a 100,000-gallon water tower in Holly Beach that the wind toppled.
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https://www.circleofblue.org/2020/world/a-lot-of-catastrophe-louisiana-water-systems-still-reeling-from-hurricane-laura/