TPC proclaims “Drinking Water Week,” in honor of Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Waterworks District No. 1

At their regular meeting on April 26, 2023, the Terrebonne Parish Council proclaimed that May 7-13, 2023, will be “Drinking Water Week 2023” in Terrebonne Parish, to recognize the hard work that Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Waterworks District No. 1 has done for the community. Read the proclamation below:

DRINKING WATER PROCLAMATION: Read by Councilman Darrin Guidry: “Whereas, water is our most valuable resource; and whereas, drinking water serves a vital role in daily life, serving an essential purpose to health, hydration, and hygiene needs for the quality of life our citizens enjoy; and whereas, tap water delivers public health protection, fire protection, support for our economy and the quality of life we enjoy; and whereas, the hard work performed by the entire water sector, designing capital projects, operators ensuring the safety and quality of drinking water or a member of a pipe crew maintaining the infrastructure communities rely on to transport high quality drinking water form its source to consumers’ taps; and whereas, the coronavirus pandemic has shone a light on the importance of drinking water for health, hydration, and hygiene needs; and whereas, we are all stewards of the water infrastructure upon which currently and future generations depend; and whereas, the citizens of our parish are called upon to help protect or source waters from pollution and get involved with their water by educating and familiarizing themselves with it; now, therefore be it resolved, by the Terrebonne Parish Council, on behalf of Parish President Gordon E. Dove and the entire Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, that May 7-13, 2023, be hereby proclaimed “Drinking Water Week 2023.”

The proclamation was accepted by Chester Voisin, President of the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Waterworks District No. 1 Board of Commissioners, along with other members of the board.  “Council members, thank you so much,” said General Manager Michael Chauvin. “When Mr. Darrin Guidry read that proclamation, I got chills. Water is something that is really good until it is not there anymore. Two years ago when Hurricane Ida visited us, we lost water in all of Terrebonne Parish. We have committed $15 million to repair a water system that was struggling, and we have been able to keep it up and running ever since– and we are going to be in an even better position in another year or two. We will have better water, better infrastructure, and more for our community.”

Councilman Dirk Guidry proceeded to express his thanks for their work. “You all on the board do a fantastic job,” said Guidry. “I never get any complaints about your work. If I ever do, the issue is fixed immediately. You see on TV all these water districts that are failing, and ours is succeeding. I did not realize how important water was until Hurricane Ida, when we had no running water for 27 days. We can live without electricity, but we cannot live without water.” Councilman Steve Trosclair continued, saying, “We have never seen more strongly how vital water is for daily needs until Hurricane Ida. Water is something we take for granted– when you open your faucet and nothing comes out, you have a new appreciation for how much it is needed. I really appreciate all you and your team members do for our parish.”

“This is a bittersweet moment for myself, because my father served on this board for 20 years,” added Councilman Brien Pledger. “I would hear the conversations daily that he would have with all these men that are sitting in front of me today. It is really touching for me to know that the waterworks are still doing such good work for our community.” Pledger’s mother was in attendance at the meeting as well in support of the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Waterworks District No. 1 Board of Commissioners. Thank you to all members of this organization for their exceptionally hard work in providing quality water for the community!