Fix in the works for water tainted with sewage at Lake Charles DOTD office

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - A permanent fix is in the works after local DOTD employees found out the water at their work site on U.S. 90 was contaminated with sewage last summer.

It was pretty disgusting for employees to find out that for at least six weeks, they may have been drinking tainted water after a sewer line was tied into the water supply.

Employees were advised on potential health effects and what to do. Seven months later, they still drink water from outside the complex.

“Outside water sources have been brought in so employees can still hand wash. So we do have additional water resources available here on site, so our employees are still able to use facilities as normal,” SWLA Public Information Officer John Guidroz said.

Construction of a new water system is underway at a fast pace, for the government, since DOTD declared an emergency over the summer to make haste.

“This work is being completed by, it’s called a forced account. It’s an expedited form of a contract. It’s still a normal contract, but it’s just an expedited way of, so we can get this work done as quickly as possible,” Guidroz said.

There has been no word of exact test results from last year.

“Obviously there were issues that required our water lines to be replaced here in order for the water quality to be restored to where it’s safe for consumption,” Guidroz said.

He said they are installing the main line and will also install new service lines. The work started Feb. 26 by Womack and Sons. So far, 300 feet of main line has been installed, and they expect 400 more by the end of the week.

Another contractor will make plumbing repairs inside the buildings. The new water system should be complete by the end of July.