Funding Provided To Protect New Orleans Sewerage Pump Stations
Release Date: May 11, 2009
Release Number: 1603-851
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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- If sewerage pumps were to stop operating because of a serious flood, New Orleans' residents could be subjected to a significant number of health and safety risks. To help prevent this scenario, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved funding to elevate eight sewerage pumps.
"It is vital for our agency to contribute to the protection of the sewerage pump system," said Tony Russell, acting director of FEMA's Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office. "During a major flood, pumps must continue to remove wastewater to processing sites."
Approximately $10 million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding has been approved to allow the elevation of eight of the Orleans Parish sewerage pumps above the Advisory Base Flood Elevation level. The monies also cover the elevation of the pumps' motorized and electrical controls.
The elevation projects will be completed in two phases. At this time, $1 million is being released for Phase I, which involves planning and design as well as a historic preservation review of the pump stations and surrounding areas. Phase II, for which the state is requesting an additional $9 million, involves the brick and mortar work, which will begin after FEMA completes review of Phase I.
"These elevation projects can help prevent the accumulation of wastewater that occurs at pumping stations when equipment fails under the pressure of hurricanes and heavy rainfalls. These are needed mitigation measures to protect the health and safety of New Orleans' residents," said LRA Executive Director Paul Rainwater.
One of the eight pump stations has two operating levels: one below ground that houses the pumps and one higher that harbors the motors and electrical controls. The other seven pump stations are located fully below ground.
"These pumps are essential to low lying areas of New Orleans. This is one more way of reducing flood risk and insuring the protection of the citizens who live in these areas," said GOHSEP Director Mark Cooper.
The eight sewerage pumps, although independently operated, are part of a network that provides service to facilities in the city of New Orleans. Sewage flow to treatment plants rely on 82 electrically operated pumping stations 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"The Sewerage & Water Board is pleased that FEMA has accepted our grant application to elevate eight sewer pumping stations," said Marcia St. Martin, the Board's executive director. "It is our continued hope that more such agreements are forged to move our recovery forward."
The HMGP provides grants to states and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster.
Created in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita in 2005, the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the coordinating and planning body leading the most extensive rebuilding effort in American history. The central point for hurricane recovery in Louisiana, the LRA works closely with GOHSEP and partners with state and federal agencies to oversee more than $20 billion worth of programs, speed the pace of rebuilding, remove hurdles and red tape and ensure that Louisiana recovers safer and stronger than before. For more information about the LRA and its 17-member board, visit lra.louisiana.gov.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 12-May-2009 18:06:21