Office of Conservation

Contractors checking water wells in coastal parishes

The impacts of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on water wells are being checked and evaluated for damages through a program sponsored by the state Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Conservation.

Commissioner of Conservation James Welsh said that there are some 3600 water wells identified in the parishes impacted by the storms and with funding from the
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, the wells will be assessed for damages. He said GEC, Inc. inspectors are currently working in Calcasieu and Cameron parishes and then will move southeast to cover the remaining communities in the assessment program within the next six months.

The contractors have done some surveying work in Orleans and Jefferson parishes as part of the startup phase of the program.

The program was set up in collaboration with the state departments of Health and Hospitals and Transportation and Development and is intended to first survey any risk to the health and safety of citizens and the environment.  Once a complete report is formulated, the next step will be to resolve and repair damaged wells by notifying the responsible property owners of existing problems.

GEC inspectors will be wearing uniforms and will provide property owners with a certification letter allowing them to survey wells registered in the program. The inspectors will take action to isolate any immediate risk they may encounter during this assessment period.