U.S. Water News Online
GRETNA, La. -- A study is underway in Jefferson Parish to determine whether treated wastewater could be used to replenish ailing wetlands on the Mississippi River's West Bank.
The study, to be completed this year by Louisiana State University scientists, will consider the feasibility and environmental soundness of pumping water from West Jefferson's three sewage-treatment plants into wetlands of the Barataria Basin, south of the West Bank Hurricane Protection Levee now under construction.
The study adds Jefferson to a growing list of governments in the nation and Louisiana, including Mandeville and Thibodaux, that are studying or building similar systems as population growth and tougher environmental requirements push sewage treatment costs up.
Parish officials said using treated wastewater on wetlands also could help mitigate the parish's coastal erosion problems and reduce the excessive amount of algae-feeding nutrients in the Mississippi River, where Jefferson's treated water now is pumped.
``A lot of people are looking at this because of the cost as well as the environmental benefits,'' said Marnie Winter, director of environmental development and solid waste.
The parish will spend $100,000 as the local match to pay for the $200,000 study. The Army Corps of Engineers is financing the rest.
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