Waterworks FAQ

State law requires the Louisiana Office of Public Health, Department of Health and Hospitals, to promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with the APA relative to the fluoridation of public water systems, including but not limited to maintaining levels of fluoride in public water systems within the optimal range for the purpose of protecting the oral health of the citizens of this state. In addition, in July 1981 the parish council enacted an ordinance requiring all water systems of the parish to be fluoridated. The guidance issued by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals is to maintain fluoride concentration in the range of 0.7 to 1.2 parts per million. We set our target at 0.85 ppm and sample every day to confirm.

Fluoride-containing compounds are used in topical and systemic fluoride therapy for preventing tooth decay. They are used for water fluoridation and in many products associated with oral hygiene. Originally, sodium fluoride was used to fluoridate water; however hexafluorosilicic acid (H2SiF6) and its salt sodium hexafluorosilicate (Na2SiF6) are more commonly used additives, especially in the United States. The St. Charles Parish Department of Waterworks utilizes hydrofluosilicic acid for fluoride addition and optimization. The fluoridation of water is known to prevent tooth decay and is considered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as "one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century." Find more information on the CDC's community water fluoridation page at http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/index.htm.

Each revolution of the red sweep hand indicates 10 gallons. The numbers around the face are gallons and the marks are one tenth of a gallon. All readings taken by the waterworks are in hundreds of gallons, meaning we read from left to right all but the last two numbers, including the fixed zero. Any consumptions shown on the bill are also in hundreds of gallons. To convert to gallons add two zeros to the end.

The sewer rate billed is 80 percent of the actual rate to allow for non-sewer usage.

The minimum monthly bill for a residential water service with no water usage is $24.79.  We collect $17.79 for each Garbage (GB) receptacle. $3 is collected as a minimum sewerage (SW) charge for the Wastewater Department and $4 is for the Waterworks Department. The $4 covers the expense to read the meter, process and mail the bill and collect and process payment for Water, as well as Sewer and Garbage. 

If you will be out of town for extended periods of time, the Contract Monitor's Office, which handles Garbage for the Parish, can issue credits for garbage with proper documentation. They can be reached at (985) 764-1207. 

Possible causes:

• Waterworks flushing distribution system
• Broken Water Line or Main
• Home water treatment device
• Customer piping clogged
• Fire Department using water for a fire in the area

Possible Causes:

• Locked off for nonpayment of bill or NSF.
• Outside shut off valve turned off.

I wasn't notified!
Every attempt is made to notify customers of planned water turn off, but Waterworks is not responsible for unplanned water outages.

Distribution Leaks:
Waterworks attempts to give prompt repair to all leaks. Sometimes a customer may want a minor leak repaired immediately when other leaks in the distribution system must be given priority. A judgement must be made by the waterworks on minor leaks during off hours concerning the cost of repair and support services required versus the loss of water.

Customer Leaks:
Customers should have their own shut off valve. Waterworks will charge $25 during office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and $85 after hours and on holidays to turn customer water off and/or back on.

• To eliminate chlorine taste and odor, allow water to stand before use.
• Ice cubes usually contain off taste or odor from refrigerator or freezer.
• Home water purifiers often cause off taste or odor.
• Sink or lavatory drains can expel off odor when water flows into them.
• Garden hoses can back up water with off taste or odor into customer's system.
• Electric hot water heater anode (dip tubes) can deteriorate and cause off taste or odor.
• Algae from water supply can produce off taste or odor during clear river water season.

Rusty Water:
Waterworks or customer piping is rusty - flush the system.

Milky Water:
Dissolved air in water - allow to stand and water will become clear.

Meters are very accurate and are designed to "under" register with wear.

No. All fees charged to customers are approved by the Parish Council and are included in Parish ordinances which are law.

Here are some reasons your neighbor's bill may be less:

• Each family has different usage habits.
• Comment posting may indicate that a leak was detected.

Here are some reasons why your bill could be higher:

• Other utilities are on the bill.
• Consumption periods may vary.
• Comment posting may indicate that a leak was detected.

All meters are read each and every month. Meter readers are not provided previous readings so they cannot guess at the readings. Meter readers are instructed to place all items found on top of the meters back in the same place after the meter is read.

All meters are read unless estimated. Consumption is estimated only if the meter cannot be read after several attempts or problems are detected with the meter. Meter readers are not provided previous readings so they cannot guess at the readings.