[StBernard] For the first time since Katrina, water bills to go out in St. Bernard Parish

[Westley Annis]

For the first time since Katrina, water bills to go out in St. Bernard
Parish

For the first time since Hurricane Katrina slammed St. Bernard Parish, the
parish is sending out residential water bills.

The bills will mark the costs of water consumption beginning May 1, Chris
Merkl, director of Public Works said in a parish government news release. 

About 5,000 homes will receive bills. Businesses have been receiving water
bills for months. Payments can be made at the water department at 1111 East
St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette. No payments can be made online but Merkl
said the department is exploring the possibility. Just as before the
hurricane, water can be disconnected if no payment is made on an account for
two months, he said.

Also, residents who have left St. Bernard will soon be able to get refunds
of their old deposits on their water meters, Merkl said.

He said people buying homes in St. Bernard are required to go to the water
department and place a deposit in their name or the water to the new home
will be disconnected. Deposits run roughly $75 depending on the size of the
meter, Merkl said in the news release.