Cleaning, Drainage Slowed By Discarded Objects
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
An attempt by the city to clean a major Opelousas canal has become more difficult as work crews are faced with debris apparently routinely placed in the drainage artery by local residents, a municipal official said on Tuesday night.
Public Works Director Travis Van Wright told the Opelousas Board of Aldermen that water which backs up into a canal traversing Indian Hills Subdivision has been adversely impacted by household items thrown into the gulley such as mattresses, baby strollers and televisions.
Van Wright did not deny that vegetation growth nas not apparently been a major cause for the clogging occurring inside the canal.
“At some point we have to understand that we need to help ourselves. If you are going to throw chairs and other items (into the canal) then that is part of the issue with what we are seeing in Indian Hills,” Van Wright said.
If residents want to see their drainage improve then they have to assume more personal responsibility, added Van Wright.
Van Wright admitted that occasionally water is reaching high levels in the canal.
However Van Wright noted that progress is being made by the city to provide assistance.
How quickly and efficiently the city proceeds with the debris removal will be determined mainly by how much funding is obtained to continue the project, said Van Wright.
An Indian Hills resident who spoke to the Board said that there are trees along the canal that have fallen into the waterway, impeding the drainage flow.
Van Wright said he is aware of the issue with the tree obstacles.
“It’s a process. We just need to make sure that we have the money,” Van Wright said.
