Saint Charles Parish Water Department unveils new billing and meter reading technologies

The St. Charles Parish Council meeting held on August 4, 2025, in Des Allemands, focused on community initiatives and updates from the Department of Water Works.

During the meeting, representatives from the People First organization highlighted their recent community service projects, including a food drive in partnership with the local women's club and donations to the Children's Hospital. They also mentioned their ongoing collaboration with the Lions Club and participation in the annual Alligator Festival, where they volunteer at a Coke booth.

The meeting transitioned to a report from Greg Gordon of the Department of Water Works, who provided an overview of the department's operations and recent developments. He reported that the department has successfully transitioned to a system with 99% automatic meter readings, significantly improving efficiency. The total budget for the fiscal year 2025 is set at $16.2 million, with total assets amounting to $54 million.

Gordon also discussed enhancements in customer service, including the implementation of a new billing call center aimed at reducing customer wait times and improving service efficiency. The call center has already shown promising results, handling over 2,400 calls in July with a 99% success rate in answering them.

Additionally, Gordon provided updates on various capital projects, including the completion of the East Bank warehouse and ongoing work on the LA 18 River Road waterline replacement. He emphasized the importance of direct customer communication during service interruptions, which has helped reduce call volumes during such events.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the resilience of the water system, particularly in the face of potential natural disasters. Gordon assured council members that the new systems in place would safeguard data and maintain service continuity even during emergencies.

Overall, the meeting underscored the council's commitment to community service and the continuous improvement of public utilities in St. Charles Parish.