Water meter upgrades pushed back 1 month; advertising dates misrepresentation cited

Published 12:13 am Saturday, March 23, 2019

LAPLACE — Delayed by one month, new water meter installation in St. John the Baptist Parish is now projected to begin in June, with the potential for some LaPlace residents to see relief from heightened bills before summer’s end.

All St. John residents can expect to have functioning meters before July 2020, though most should see relief sooner.

The delay was a result of a misrepresentation of advertising dates in which a mandatory pre-bid meeting for contractors was held before all ads had run, according to chief financial officer Robert Figuero Jr., who assumed responsibility for the water meter project early this year.

According to Figuero, advertisements were republished and a second pre-bid meeting held March 15 saw a “good turnout of qualified contractors.”

All bids are due at 2:45 p.m. April 4, to be followed by a 3 p.m. reading.

“We’re going to open them and read all the bids out loud in front of whoever wants to be there,” Figuero said. “It’s open to the public.”

Community concerns were brought to L’OBSERVATEUR’s attention this month when a St. John Parish resident reported doors were locked to a contractor who said he arrived four minutes late to the initial pre-bid meeting, which allegedly lasted less than 10 minutes.

Figuero said contractors were informed prior to the mandatory meeting that doors would be secured to take roll and ensure all contractors who bid on the project were in attendance.

After bids are read on April 4, the next steps will be to identify the lowest responsible bidder, have the St. John Parish Council vote to award the contract and submit paperwork to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.

“We’re looking at about 30 days for approval from DEQ, and we’re assuming the infrastructure will be installed shortly thereafter,” Figuero said. “Nothing has changed except everything has been pushed back about a month.”

After installation begins, meters will be turned on gradually with the completion of each of St. John Parish’s six billing cycle installations, starting with the largest cycle in LaPlace.

Council members are expected to deliberate on bids at an April 9 meeting in LaPlace.

Councilman Michael Wright is wary the lowest bidder won’t be the best fit for the project if past experience, references and history are factored in the decision.

“I’m not too thrilled that it got pushed back a month because we’re looking at yet another delay,” Wright said. “I think it reiterates more why we should have had proposals.”

In conversations with his constituents, Wright explains the new smart meter technology will have accurate readings, smart leak detection and software allowing homeowners and business owners to track their water usage on an hour-by-hour basis.

Residential meters have a lifespan of 20 years, comprising a majority of the project, while larger meters to be placed near businesses have an industry standard 10-year lifespan.

St. John Parish Council members have discussed setting aside funds for replacement once the system reaches end-of-life to avoid repeating mistakes that led to residents being overcharged.

“Once I explain to them the new system in place and what really failed us, they’re cautiously optimistic,” Wright said. “Just like with anything else, they’re waiting to see what gets brought forward.”

Figuero said minor specifications have been added to the project to outline materials the contractor would need to provide and other logistics.

LDEQ provided the $6 million loan, which will pay for meter infrastructure, installation, training and three years of maintenance, according to Figuero.

Residents may remember a $16 million figure discussed by the Parish Council last year, representing the cost estimation over the 20-year life of the meter, including maintenance costs.

Figuero said costs over the next 20 years would be met using standard fees from the water system.