A group of 14 U.S. Representatives will tour the Sewerage & Water Board's
East Bank Water Treatment Plant on Tuesday and be briefed on the devastation, restoration and plans for
full recovery of Board facilities damaged by Katrina.
While a presentation will focus on the water system's treatment and distribution
needs, information will also be provided on the sewerage and drainage systems and the Board's own power
plant.
It is estimated that Board plants, equipment, infrastructure and facilities
suffered billions in damages. S&WB Executive Director Marcia St.
Martin said, "This visit gives us the opportunity to provide Congress
with a full view of how Federal funds have been responsibly spent and to show that a great
need for additional funds is still needed if the City is to fully recover."
She added, "We will also emphasize that without reliable water, sewer, drainage and
power for all of those systems, the City just can't exist.
Leading the delegation is Speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
Congressman William Jefferson (D-LA) worked closely with the Sewerage &
Water Board and the leadership in arranging the tour.
Tommie Vassel, S&WB president pro tem, said, "We are pleased that Rep. Pelosi and
the leadership will visit with us. It is a clear and strong
demonstration, I believe, of Congress' commitment to
work with us and provide the eligible funds needed to completely restore all of
our damaged facilities.
Vassel added, "We know that this concerned Congressional delegation will leave our
City fully aware that any funding they approve for S&WB projects will be responsibly and quickly
used to provide our citizens with the highest quality sewer, water and drainage
services."
Mayor and S&WB President C. Ray Nagin said, "What this
esteemed delegation heard and saw about the Board's aggressive efforts in restoring our
systems to date should convince them that all Federal funds are being used wisely. We also demonstrated the great need for more funds to continue the restoration of our three vital systems."
"We thank each member of the delegation for their great interest in the health, well-being and protection of the citizens of New Orleans.
