Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans
Capital Program Description
Each year, the S&WB adopts a 5-Year capital program for infrastructure improvements, facility upgrades, and other capital projects. The first year of the capital program becomes the capital budget for the current year; the remaining figures are future estimates. The capital budget’s local revenue is primarily bonded debt, with additional revenue from the federal government through various programs. Although the capital program estimates spending for the next five years, the capital needs of the S&WB goes far beyond 2004. The existing capital program shows the significant gap between capital requests and funds available in 2001 and beyond. This gap is yet unfulfilled.
Water
In response to changing EPA requirements to remove pathogens as well as carcinogens during water treatment, the capital budget proposes the construction of advanced water treatment facilities in 2001 and 2002. This will take place at both the Algiers and Carrolton plants and makes up sixty percent of the five-year capital program for the water system. There is some uncertainty about how much will be needed for water system capital improvements because changes in EPA clean water regulations might affect further treatment changes.
Sewerage
The Sewerage capital program focuses on satisfying the 1998 Federal Consent Decree that requires Eastbank sewer system repairs to comply with pollution control regulations. The S&WB must follow a strict timeline to fix the aging sewer system. The decree started a 13-year rehabilitation program that will require about $455 million, with Federal grants possible for up to $100 million of this amount.
The city has been divided into 10 sewerage districts; the rehabilitation work in each district is phased over the 13-year period. Construction work is underway in four of the ten districts. Goals of the improvement plan include: improving the sewer service customers receive, preventing leaks in the sewer system, decreasing the amount of rainwater that enters the sewage lines and overloads the treatment plants, and protecting the general health and environment of the area.
Approximately 76% ($44.1 million) of the 2000 sewer capital budget is to satisfy the consent decree. Within this amount is $2.5 million used to pay the City Department of Public Works for oversight of sewer maintenance (C.P.# 339). Another 15% of the capital budget is to upgrade the Algiers sewage treatment plant to comply with an EPA administrative order. The remaining balance is used for the sewerage system's share of the general budget items and for an emergency reserve.
Drainage
The S&WB is currently working with the multi-year Southeastern Louisiana Urban Flood Control Program (SELA) to increase the city's drainage capacity. In 1996, Congress authorized SELA to provide 75% federal funding through the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USCOE) solely for projects that increased drainage capacity. At current spending levels, the S&WB has matching funds for projects through 2000, but not beyond. The first projects that have begun include an $18 million expansion of Pumping Station One, two new canals under the neutral ground of Napoleon and Claiborne avenues, and a new Dwyer Road Pumping Station. When combined with federal SELA money, the S&WB has a total of $127.3 million to fund drainage capital projects in 2000.
Sources
Sewage and Water Board Web Page
BGR February 1999 Orleans Outlook report, The Sewerage & Water Board's
Fee Proposal
BGR April 2000 Orleans Outlook report, Privatization of Sewerage and
Water Board