In a recent city council meeting, Mayor White spoke about a new project aimed at significantly upgrading Abbeville’s water plant. This initiative marks the beginning of a comprehensive renovation—the first major upgrade since 2010. It took three years to secure the funding necessary to bring the project to its current stage, underscoring the city’s commitment to delivering high-quality water to every resident.
Project Overview
The upcoming project will focus on overhauling the plant’s mechanical systems, upgrading its emergency generator, and adding a new clarifier to further enhance water quality, among other critical improvements. These enhancements are designed to boost the reliability and cleanliness of our drinking water while also improving the overall efficiency of our systems. Work is scheduled to begin this year and is expected to take approximately 17 months.
Funding and Support
The city has secured $8.7 million in outside funding, which includes a grant from the Louisiana Water Sector Program. This program is dedicated to strengthening community water and sewer systems, ensuring that our infrastructure meets modern standards. The support from this funding source is a cornerstone in our efforts to elevate water services across the city.
Project Q&A: What Residents Should Know
Why is the water treatment plant being upgraded?
The upgrade is needed to modernize aging infrastructure and more effectively treat manganese in the water. While the system currently meets treatment requirements, portions of the plant have become more susceptible to corrosion and maintenance issues over time.
Will this improve my drinking water?
Yes. The improvements are designed to provide clearer, more consistent drinking water and enhance overall treatment reliability.
What does “system redundancy” mean?
System redundancy means the water treatment plant can continue operating during maintenance, equipment repairs, or weather-related disruptions, reducing the risk of service interruptions or full system shutdowns.
Will this project cause water service interruptions?
The goal of the project is to improve reliability, not disrupt service. If temporary interruptions are ever required, residents will be notified in advance through the City’s normal communication channels.
Will residents see a water rate increase because of this project?
No. The project is fully funded through grants and a forgivable loan, meaning no repayment is required and no rate increase is associated with this work.
How long will construction last?
Construction began this summer and is expected to continue through the end of next year.
Where can residents find updates?
Project updates will be shared on the City of Abbeville website and official social media channels as construction progresses.
Acknowledgments
Without the support of our legislative leaders—including Sen. Bob Hensgens, Rep. Ryan Borriaque, Rep. Troy Hebert, and Rep. Jacob Landry—this project would not have been possible. Their commitment to Abbeville’s future is instrumental in driving progress and ensuring that our residents continue to receive safe, high-quality water.
Looking Ahead
In addition to the current project, Mayor White says the city is committed to securing additional funding to further improve the city’s infrastructure. These future enhancements will ensure that Abbeville continues to improve. Stay tuned for more updates as we work together to build a better, more resilient community.
We have identified a website that falsely claims to be an official online payment portal for the City of Abbeville. Please be aware that if you choose to use a third-party website like Doxo.com to pay your utility bills there is a delay in receipt of the payment to your account. This delay could lead to late fees and disconnection of your utility services. We do not endorse Doxo.com or its affiliates and cannot waive additional charges or issues caused by using their service.
We strongly recommend using the City of Abbeville’s official payment portal for online transactions.