Crowley utility committee flags potential $18 million wastewater upgrades after DEQ order; public commenter urges chemical‑treatment option

City staff told Crowley’s Utility Committee that the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued a consolidated compliance order associated with the renewal of the city’s wastewater‑treatment facility discharge permit and that implementation could involve an estimated $18,000,000 in improvements to the collection system and treatment plant.

According to the committee report presented at the council meeting, wastewater superintendent Tim Crater and city engineer Tim Mader briefed committee members on DEQ’s action and the permit renewal. The committee reported “the mayor and Tim Mader both spoke in detail about DEQ’s consolidated compliance order and DEQ’s renewal of the wastewater treatment facility discharge permit and the related enforceable plan of action involving potentially an estimated $18,000,000 in required improvements to the collection system and treatment plant.” The committee took no action at that meeting and made no funding decisions.

A member of the public, who identified professional experience in the oil and gas sector, urged the city to explore on‑site chemical‑treatment options as a potentially less costly alternative. The commenter stated that, in his experience, specialist chemical‑treatment firms sometimes can devise a treatment approach that achieves compliance without extensive civil construction. “I would suggest that before spending millions of dollars on things that might work, you explore the avenue to see if they can suggest something to get your discharge water in compliance,” he said.

The city did not adopt any measures or set a funding timetable during the committee reports at the council meeting. The utility committee’s report is informational for the full council; any required capital improvements, funding sources or timeline would need formal consideration and approval at a subsequent meeting. The committee report did not identify specific funding sources or a construction schedule.

Key facts - DEQ consolidated compliance order and permit renewal discussed by utility committee; estimated potential improvements cited at approximately $18,000,000. - Committee received report from Wastewater Superintendent Tim Crater and City Engineer Tim Mader; no action taken by the committee at that time. - Public commenter recommended exploring chemical‑treatment solutions before committing to large capital expenditures.

Next steps The committee report indicates future council-level decisions will be required to authorize design, funding or construction; none were approved at the meeting. The council may schedule follow‑up briefings, seek engineering cost estimates, or refer the matter to a committee for detailed review and budgeting.