According to Jefferson Parish, the awards are intended to recognize those individuals, businesses, or organizations that strive for environmental leadership through programs and actions that improve storm water quality and/or quantity, thereby reducing the amount of pollution that enters Jefferson Parish waterways.
In January, in preparation for an anticipated ice storm in the greater New Orleans area, DOTD produced nearly 1,800 gallons of brine to combat ice on the region’s most critical roads and bridges. Brine is produced by mixing large bags of salt with fresh water. The mixture is applied to routes before they freeze to prevent ice from accumulating. Once the weather event was over, there was a surplus of brine.
“In the past, we have tried to store the brine in stationary tanks, but algae growth and the degradation of the solution from heat and sunlight prevented us from re-using the brine for future winter events,” Boyle said. “Knowing that this material needed to be disposed of responsibly, we contacted the Jefferson Parish Storm Water Management team for guidance.”
DOTD then worked with the Jefferson Parish Bridge City Wastewater Treatment Plant to properly and safely dispose of the brine. The mixture was disposed of on a drying bed located on the treatment plant property. The drying bed filtered out a portion of the salt. By placing the brine in the drying bed first, the saltwater is introduced into the plant slowly so it does not shock or upset the wastewater treatment process.
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The Bridge City Wastewater Treatment Plant is located next to DOTD District 02 headquarters. DOTD District 02 covers seven parishes: Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Charles, Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be recognized for our partnership with Jefferson Parish as DOTD ensures that we are doing our part to improve our surrounding waterway quality,” Boyle said. “Actions can have significant impacts on the region that we love to live and play in.”
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development's mission is to plan, design, build, and sustain a safe and reliable multimodal transportation and infrastructure system that enhances mobility and economic opportunity.
