By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE – St. John the Baptist Parish President Natalie Robottom said reporting inconsistencies by parish employees, not negligence or criminal activity, may have been what led to Louisiana State Police confirming today they are investigating water quality records in St. John Parish.

At 4:30 p.m. today Robottom held a press conference to discuss the Naegleria Fowleri ameba in St. John Water District 1 Water System and provide a comment on the State Police investigation.

She said Louisiana State Health Officer Jimmy Guidry with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals informed her today the State Police would be investigating documentation discrepancies, as the DHH does not conduct investigations.

Robottom said in her conversations today with DHH and State Police officials, no one ever made any accusations regarding any suspected fraudulent or criminal activities.

She said resident safety continues to be the parish’s main concern, and that any involved departments would cooperate fully to ensure any reporting inconsistencies are handled.

“We’re not attempting to hide anything,” Robottom said. “If this (investigation) leads to making sure our water is safe, we’re fine with that.”

She said the names and contact information of four parish employees were given to State Police officials today for interviews.

Water taken in a sample more than two weeks ago from St. John Parish Water District 1 tested positive for Naegleria fowleri ameba.

The announcement was made public the afternoon of Aug. 27, an hour after parish officials received the information in a conference call with DHH and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Robottom said.

She the sample was required to sit for 10 days before sampling took place and residents were notified as soon as possible.

“The concern is when water goes deep into your nasal passage,” Robottom said of the ameba.

She said any potential threats associated with the ameba could occur only when the water enters deep enough into the nasal passage to cause a burning sensation.

The impacted water system serves 12,577 people in Reserve, Garyville, Mt. Airy and a small portion of LaPlace on West 5th from Acorn Street to Apricot Street.

DHH has issued an emergency order requiring St. John Water District 1 to perform a free-chlorine burn to kill the ameba within the water system. Robottom said this process started Thursday at 7 a.m.

State and parish authorities said the water remains safe to drink, cook with and bathe in during this time. At the end of 60 days, DHH will sample the system again for the presence of the ameba. In previous cases in Louisiana, this action has been effective in controlling the ameba, officials said.