St. Charles Parish · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in St. Charles Parish public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Ormond Center drainage improvements
Unmarked AT&T lines and owner access requests added $282,632 to the Ormond drainage project. Council members defended the cost as necessary to protect major drainage capacity.
Drainage project funding shifts
More than $700,000 was redirected through amendments toward drainage work — culvert cleaning, bank stabilization, and articulating block mat along the Bayou Gauche canal near Armand Condominiums. Some recreation projects like the gymnasium engineering and Monsanto Linear Park gave up money to fund it.
Montz pump stations and drainage investments
President Jewell reported the $32 million Montz pump station projects are on track — Montz No. 1 done in November 2026, No. 2 in January 2027.
New Sarpy pump station drainage expansion
The council funded a $959,300 fix to discharge pipes that were damming up Cousins Canal and backing water into Mimosa neighborhoods. The project started because one resident complained directly to the parish president — a small-government success story Jewell highlighted.
Water system modeling and West Bank plant upgrades
The parish is spending $4.8 million to design a new water treatment plant that will replace 1950s-era plants A and B — a roughly $50 million project overall. President Jewell says the parish is chasing federal and state money, including the Corps' 219 program.
Engineers Canal Pump Station design and permitting
A $1.42 million contract with GIS Engineering will refine and permit the Engineers Canal Pump Station, with bidding targeted for spring 2027. Norco residents have waited years for this drainage relief.
Cousins Pump Station T-Wall and sump expansion
The state's CPRA awarded $16.7 million for the Cousins Pump Station T-Wall in Luling, plus a roughly five-acre sump expansion to help the station keep up in torrential rains.
$500,000 Drainage Grant Application
St. Rose residents who have flooded for 20-plus years get another shot at federal money — the council unanimously backed a $500,000 Delta Regional Authority application for culvert work under the railroad.
Turtle Pond Pump Station Relocation and Drainage
The parish is relocating the Turtle Pond pump station in St. Rose to a better site near Airline Highway, with about $9 million in LWI grant funding. The approved contract amendment pays for the redesigned engineering.
Parish canal maintenance permits (drainage and storm protection)
Parish Public Works wants permits to clear vegetative debris from the Destrehan pump station canal and the Peterson Canal over five years to keep drainage and storm protection working. Both need coastal use permits.