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Parish approves $253,278 contract to build water distribution model
Summary
St. Charles Parish Council unanimously approved a professional services agreement with McKim and Creed Inc. to develop a hydraulic model of the parish water distribution system; council members raised and the administration addressed questions about the contractor's licensing.
The St. Charles Parish Council on Jan. 6 unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing a $253,278 professional services agreement with McKim and Creed Inc. to develop a hydraulic model of the parish water distribution system.
Parish staff told the council the contract will fund data collection, field testing, calibration, technical specifications and user training for waterworks personnel. The hydraulic model is intended to identify near- and long-term system and capital improvements and to help the parish assess impacts from new subdivisions, industrial water demands and fire-suppression events.
The council opened a public hearing on file number 2024-0419 before parish staff described the scope. "The hydraulic model developed from these tasks will indicate near and long term system and capital improvements," a parish presenter said during the hearing.
Councilman Pellier said he had reviewed the contract documents and flagged a question about whether the firm itself holds a Louisiana consulting license; minutes show the firm is registered in North Carolina. Parish staff replied that the two named engineers who would act for the firm are registered professional engineers in Louisiana and that the parish would confirm the firm's licensing prior to executing the agreement.
After discussion the council voted to approve the ordinance; the meeting minutes record the motion as passing unanimously.
The parish said the model is expected to take most of 2025 to develop and will support planning for subdivision hydrants, fire-protection flows, and industrial connections that could affect surrounding neighborhoods. Parish staff noted the model will also help prioritize capital projects and identify areas with low pressure during hydrant testing or peak demand.
The ordinance was scheduled for public hearing on Jan. 27 as part of the formal introduction process and then moved to final approval at this meeting under file number 2024-0419.
