Utilities Inc. Acquisition Connects District 6 Sewer to Plant
Utilities, Inc. and its subsidiary Utilities, Inc. of Louisiana (UIL) have announced UIL's acquisition of the sewer collection system assets of Sewerage District No. 6 in St. Tammany Parish, La. The district was formed in 1985 to serve residential and commercial development in the area between Abita Springs and Covington. It served approximately 940 customers including the Abita Brewery.
"Growth through acquisitions like Sewerage District No. 6 is exciting for us," said Don Sudduth, vice president of Corporate Development for Utilities, Inc. "Our acquisition alleviated the need for the district to make a significant capital investment in its old wastewater treatment plant by connecting Sewerage District No. 6 customers to our adjacent Arrowwood Wastewater Treatment Plant. It's a win-win situation for all concerned. The district avoided an unnecessary investment, the customers continue to experience reasonable rates, LDEQ eliminates an environmentally challenged plant and UIL can fully utilize our upgraded plant," Sudduth added. "We were pleased to work with the Louisiana Public Service Commission to complete one of the first transactions planned in connection with the Parish's effort to regionalize wastewater treatment and improve the region's waterways."
The existing Arrowwood Wastewater Treatment Plant is a regional facility with capacity to provide high-quality treatment through the use of filters and UV disinfection. The plant processes sewerage from existing residential and commercial developments located within the Arrowwood-Northpark service areas, and now the customers located within the previous Sewerage District No. 6 boundaries. The connection between Arrowwood and the old district collection system has been completed and the flows from Sewerage District No. 6 are now redirected into the Arrowwood plant for treatment and disposal.
"We take pride in our ability to consolidate systems, eliminate non-compliant facilities and unwanted sources of pollution; all while protecting the way of life everyone has grown to love here in St. Tammany Parish," said Delos Williams, regional director in charge of the Louisiana Operations for Utilities, Inc.