On the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, in rapidly developing parishes such as St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Livingston, Iberville, and Ascension, some large treatment systems exist, but many homes and businesses are responsible for their own wastewater (mainly sewer) treatment, using small, individual wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Many times these small WWTPs are not functioning properly and can release contaminated water into the rivers. While one plant doesn’t release a lot of water, the combined effect of many WWTPs releasing contaminated water leads to the river becoming high in bacteria counts and low in dissolved oxygen levels. This is seen on many north shore rivers.  So, while water quality in Lake Pontchartrain has improved greatly in the past 25 years, north shore rivers still feel the impact of the many sewage sources.

For over fifteen years the PC has assisted businesses and homes with these small WWTPs. We work with the plant owner to understand the parts of the plant and how it functions. We assess the plant to see if repairs need to be made and we guide the plant owners as repairs are made. Sometimes a wastewater treatment plant is not permitted properly, in that case we  work with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality’s Small Business Small Community Assistance Program to have the system permitted properly. Many times the Pontchartrain Conservancy will visit a plant multiple times and work with the owners to address the issues.  This service is provided absolutely free.