By JIM BUTLER
Pineville officials plan to ask this week for release of funds to significantly bolster capability of the Huffman Creek pumping station.
The city is seeking Community Development Block Grant Mitigation money to demolish the pair of pumps and replace with an upgraded facility. Previously estimated cost is about $5.2 million.
The proposed project includes the demolition of the 10,000 and 25,000 gallon-per-minute pump stations and development of an enlarged pump sump to accommodate two new diesel engine-driven pumps with a capacity of 50,000 gpm each.
The new pump facility would have auxiliary power for controls; and installation of a double run of 48″ discharge header; and an upstream 1.5+ acre detention pond.
The station pumps water over a levee into Bayou Maria, in turn draining into Red River.
According to the city, the completion of the project will result in a total capacity of 200,000 gpm – an increase of 65,000 gpm.
This additional capacity will provide an estimated 50+ year level of protection to the low-lying areas of Huffman Creek basin.
The project will also include the construction of a 1.5-acre retention pond located upstream of Hwy. 165 and the removal of an obstruction near the highway’s service road.
City officials believe the project will have no significant impact on the human environment and that an Environmental Impact Statement under is not required.
