INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE: FIRE HYDRANTS TO BE REPAINTED

For immediate release June 2, 2008

Beginning June 2 the St. Charles Parish Department of Waterworks will take on the challenge of repainting all of the parish’s 2,216 fire hydrants.

The Department of Waterworks has hired six summer workers to help complete the job. Three will start on the East Bank, and three will start on the West Bank. If the job is not completed by summer’s end, trustees form the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office will continue the task, said Waterworks Director Robert Brou.

Workers will repaint hydrants on state highways and busy roads first, Brou said. Fire hydrants on Airline Highway, River Road, Ormond Boulevard, Paul Maillard Road, Apple Street and Highway 90 are expected to be some of the first completed.

The project was developed by Parish President V.J St. Pierre Jr. to further parish beautification plans.

Fire hydrants are operated and owned by St. Charles Parish. Section 9-3 of the St. Charles Parish Code of Ordinances outlaws obstruction and/or defacement of a fire hydrant. This includes but is not limited to garbage, trash, trees, shrubs, flowers, vines and mailboxes placed or planted around the hydrants. Section 9-4 states that any violation results in a fine not exceeding $500 or jail time not exceeding six months. Each violation constitutes a separate event.

For any questions about this project or fire hydrant use or violations, contact Brou at the (985) 783-5110.

The mission of St. Charles Parish government is to provide high quality, efficient services to sustain and enhance the quality of life for all residents of St. Charles Parish.

For more information, contact St. Charles Parish Public Information Officer Renee C. Allemand at (985) 783-5000 or rallemand@stcharlesgov.net.