Throughout Southern Louisiana, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has been promoting “wetland assimilation” projects as a potential low-cost alternative for waste water treatment. In these projects, treated and disinfected wastewater is released into existing wetlands instead of local streams. While I am supportive of beneficial use of waste, I have witnessed some causes for concern related to one of these projects near Hammond, LA. One issue with this project is that the wastewater treatment facility has been violating its permit since the new plant and assimilation project went on-line in December. The violations include high levels of “BOD” or biochemical oxygen demand. These high levels of BOD result in the reduction of oxygen in the receiving waters, and increased odors. Residents near this facility have been complaining about these odors since the plant went on-line.

I guess the way I feel is that LDEQ and area municipalities are becoming a bit overzealous in promoting these assimilation projects. This project was designed with the assumption that the plant would work properly, but with these consistent violations, I can’t help but wonder about the long and short term effects on the wetland.

Recently Hammond has been taking steps to correct their BOD problems, and have been meeting their permit limits recently. I hope this continues—for the wetlands, the municipality, and for the citizens that have been living with an awful stench for several months.

Matt Rota is the Water Resources Program Director for the Gulf Restoration Network, healthygulf.org