By JIM BUTLER

Cheneyville officials have advised customers of significant shortcomings found by the state’s sanitary survey of the town’s water system.

Officials say the town failed to take corrective action or develop a correction plan within the permissible time.

In perhaps the governmental understatement of the year the town says the deficiencies noted in the January 2021 inspection and evaluation do not constitute an emergency.

It should be noted that the La. Dept. of Health 2022 evaluation of the Cheneyville system graded it “A”, scoring it 76 of a possible 80 points.

Officials have told customers there is no need for them to boil water or take other actions in response to the sanitary survey.

“If a situation arises where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours. What does this mean? This is not an emergency. If it had been an emergency, you would have been notified within 24 hours,” the message notes.

According to officials, the significant deficiency has the potential to result in lack of proper treatment and oversight of the water system.

EPA’s Ground Water Rule (GWR), which the system fell short of, is in place to reduce disease incidence associated with harmful microorganisms in drinking water. The GWR applies to public water systems that use ground water as a source of drinking water.

The town notes that inadequately treated or inadequately protected water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, cramps, and associated headaches.

“While we have not detected any evidence of contamination or other health threats related to our source water, we are still committed to correcting the deficiency to eliminate the threat of contamination,” the message notes.

What was done? The Town of Cheneyville is currently working on resolving the significant deficiencies identified during the Sanitary Survey. Some deficiencies have already been resolved.

The wire mesh screen required over the overflow pipe was replaced in August of 2022, and again in May of 2023. A Cross Connection Ordinance was passed by the Town, with plans of full implementation by December 4, the town reports.

“Cross-connection” means any connection or arrangement, physical or otherwise, between a potable water supply system and any plumbing fixture or any tank, receptacle, equipment or device, through which it may be possible for non-potable, used, unclean, polluted or contaminated water, or other substances, to enter into any part of such potable water system under any condition.