By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

HAHNVILLE – St. Charles Parish government officials will once again open the doors of the parish’s major operations to provide residents with behind-the-scenes looks at the workings of parish infrastructure.

Residents will get up close to parish pumping stations and emergency operations center during the parish’s fall info tour next month.

St. Charles Parish President V.J. St. Pierre Jr. said the Info Tour is meant to educate residents on the many sites that provide critical services throughout St. Charles Parish.

“Many residents don’t realize just how much infrastructure the parish is responsible for operating on a daily basis,” St. Pierre said. “These facilities belong to the people. We want to show them off while also providing a glimpse into their everyday operations.” 

Renee Simpson, public information officer for St. Charles Parish, said participants in the tours will also have the chance to interface with various department heads and the parish president, who will answer questions about current infrastructure and future plans.

Simpson said tours will be held Oct. 14 for east bank residents and Oct. 15 for west bank residents. She said tours on both days would run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Residents are advised to meet in the St. Charles Parish Council Chambers at the parish courthouse, 15045 River Road in Hahnville. Simpson said the tour is free and transportation is provided. The parish will also offer a virtual tour on screens inside the council chambers. 

The east bank tour will include information on the Destrehan wastewater treatment plant, the East Bank hurricane protection levee, pumping stations, the New Sarpy waterworks plant and expansion and more. The west bank tour will show off the Luling Oxidation Pond, multiple pumping stations, the Luling waterworks plant and more. 

Simpson said space is limited and residents must reserve a spot. To reserve a spot on the tour, call 985-783-5182 or fill out the online form at www.scpinfotour.org. Space is limited. 

Simpson said the parish once again plans to run weekend Info Tour dates sometime in the spring of 2011 for residents who cannot make the fall tours.