Thanks to a group of visionaries who decided to take on this project and 20 years later the hard work and dedication paid off.

It began with the West Ascension Water Disrict, four and seven, which led to the creation of Ascension Consolidated Utilities District One.

 

According to Glenda Shaheen of GSA Engineers, the first line was drawn beginning the project in the early 1990’s. This line on paper was a sign of things to come she said.

 

Modeste water line project was a replacement of West Ascension Water District Four water lines that had significant leaks. The project was completed at a cost of $600,000.

 

What Happened Next?

Phase two of the project was the first 150,000 gallon elevated storage tower and distribution lines to provide potable water to the Palo Alto and Brusly-McCall communities. In between Phase two and Phase three there was an economic development grant to run a distribution line at the Donaldsonville Industrial Park to handle the John Folse facility.

 

Phase three of the project, 20 years later became the reality rather than just a plan. Phase three consisted of distribution lines in the area to the west of the City of Donaldsonville bordering LA Hwy 1 North and South, and Hwy 308, including the side roads and two Bayou Lafourche sub aqueous crossings tying into the mains along these roadways at a cost of $2.76 million dollars.

 

The most recent phase three improvement includes the completion of 150,000 gallon elevated storage tower at Palo Alto on land donated by the Lemann family and a 400,000 elevated storage tower at LA Hwy 70 on land donated by CF Industries at a cost of $2.2 million.

 

What’s Next?

Future improvements include updating water meters in the Palo Alto, Modeste, and Brusly-McCall communities to provide automatic reading capabilities.

 

Benefits Breakdown of ACUD District One System

• Eliminated loss of approx. one million gallons a month water loss in Modeste system.
  • Provides safe water of sustained pressures allowing customers to wash clothes and take a shower at the same time.
  • Provides fire protection water flow to all areas presently served by ACUD water system, including the Parish Jail, Chef John Folse and Company, and the commercial area East of the city of Donaldsonville.
  • Lower water bills for the customer of West of the city of Donaldsonville.
  • Potable water service to support additional economic development east of the city of Donaldsonville, with emphasis on the Industrial Park in Donaldsonville.

Trenchless technology refers to construction, maintenance, or rehabilitation of underground infrastructure requiring minimal excavation and trenching. Trenchless techniques are minimally invasive and environmentally friendly. Several methods including pipe relining/CIPP (Cured in Place Pipe), pipe bursting, tunneling, directional bore, slip lining, microtunneling, and several other processes are employed in these construction and rehabilitation techniques. By employing these techniques, engineers and construction companies can install or maintain underground facilities minimizing above ground excavation and allowing for improvements which would otherwise be impossible to construct with conventional construction methods as well as minimizing inconvenience to the public. Because of these benefits, trenchless processes greatly reduce project costs and are quickly becoming a preferred method of construction.

 

Being ranked among Trenchless Technology’s 2010 Top 50 Design Firms was a recognition GSA was extremely proud to receive. It represents their commitment to finding innovative solutions to infrastructure improvements. Launching in 1992, Trenchless Technology is the industry leading publication solely dedicated to the trenchless engineering and construction fields of practice. Its publication recognizes the latest news, technological advancements, and unique projects utilizing trenchless technology. As the number one source in the trenchless technology field, Trenchless Technology influences an entire growing industry. 2010 marks the 15thyear running that Trenchless Technology has recognized the Top 50 firms in this field. GSA’s 2010 recognition represents the second time they have been recognized as a Top 50 firm in North America, having been recognized in 2008 also.

 

Founded in 1998 by Glenn G. Shaheen, P.E., GSA, Inc. provides professional engineering and consulting services to Federal, State, and Local governments as well as to the private sector. GSA provides planning, design and management services in the civil and environmental fields.

Glenn Shaheen and his wife Glenda made the presentation to Dr. Joe Ben Welch, chancellor of RPCC, at GSA headquarters in Gonzales.

"We are thrilled to receive this donation from GSA," said Welch. "GSA and the Shaheen's have been wonderful partners to RPCC for several years now. They really have a heart for education, and for this college."

The purpose of the RPCC foundation is to raise funds for scholarships and other worthy projects on campus. The foundation is a 501(c)3 organization, established to provide assistance to RPCC by promoting the educational and cultural welfare of the college and its facilities. The foundation articulates the aims, objectives and needs of the college to the public, and solicits and accepts gifts, grants, and funds of all kinds.

Those donations may include money to be used for scholarships, research, teaching or training, and other designated benefits for the college. Donations may also include property.

GSA Consulting Engineers is a general consulting engineering firm with offices in both Gonzales and Baton Rouge. The company boasts 23 employees who have a wide range of experience in the engineering field. They provide expertise to projects of all types, including hydraulic engineering, municipal engineering, transportation services and planning services.

The company has won awards for work on Jambalaya Park in Gonzales in 2005 and the environmental enhancements of wastewater facilities in Gonzales in 2006. They also won an award in 2006 for work on the sewer collection and treatment system in Henderson.

"We are firm believers in education, particularly local colleges. We are strong supporters of RPCC, and see this as a way to give back to the community," said Shaheen. "We love this community, and love this college. This is the second year that GSA has made this donation to River Parishes Community College and hopefully we can continue this support in the future."

River Parishes Community College is an open admissions, SACS-accredited, two-year college offering a wide range of day, evening, and online courses. Classes taken at RPCC are transferable to any college or university in the state. RPCC offers associate degree programs in General Science, Liberal Arts, Science in Teaching and General Studies, with concentrations including Environmental Science, General Business, Criminal Justice, and Computer Science. To apply for admission, or for more information, log on to www.rpcc.edu.

Due to the dedicated efforts of GSA's team, the company has received a Certificate of Recognition as stated in FLUOR's letter dated September 28, 2007:

"Because of the dedicated efforts of your company's team, this project is receiving FLUOR's highest honor for exemplifying excellence in execution, contributing to our client's success and adding value to the communities served."

"Thank you for your contributions to the success of this project. The certificate is a token of appreciation and gratitude for your efforts in helping accomplish our goals and for making this project such a huge success for FLUOR; for FEMA; and most importantly, for the people of Louisiana."

FLUOR Government Group is located in Greenville, South Carolina.