Water Works District No. 3

Our Water Rates have been adjusted due to increased costs of production, treatment, and distribution of your water, effective January 1, 2024. The new rate structure is shown below:

Residential

0-3,000 gallons $30.45
All over 3,000 gallons 6.95

Commercial
0-5,000 gallons $38.70
All over 5,000 gallons 6.95

Industrial
0-50,000 gallons $193.50
All over 50,000 gallons 5.60

Governmental
0-50,000 gallons $193.50
All over 50,000 gallons 6.95

Water Districts
0-50,000 gallons $193.50
All over 50,000 gallons 6.20

Public Recreation Areas
0-3,000 gallons $28.10
All over 3,000 gallons 6.95

Rapides Parish Waterworks District #3 monitors the disinfectant residual in the distribution system on a daily basis. This measurement tells us whether we are effectively disinfecting the water supply. The disinfectant residual is the amount of chlorine or chloramines in the distribution system. Chlorine and chloramines are common disinfectants used by water suppliers to kill bacteria in drinking water; therefore, if the disinfectant residual is too low, microorganisms can potentially grow in the distribution piping.
In order to provide the most effective disinfection process, Rapides Parish Waterworks District #3 is making a temporary change in the type of disinfectant used in the water supply.  It is typical for water systems that use chloramines to temporarily change to chlorine in order to clean water pipes and provide a reliable disinfectant residual throughout all points in the distribution system. Free chlorine is proven to be more effective in killing organisms within the pipes of the distribution system.
When is this switch scheduled?
The temporary switch from chloramines to free chlorine will occur 10/25/2023 through 12/26/2023. If a longer duration is required, then we will continue to use free chlorine as long as necessary.
What is being done?
We are going to change the distribution system disinfectant from chloramines to free chlorine. Although the level of disinfectant will remain the same, the type of disinfectant will change.
We will continue to monitor the chlorine levels throughout the water system.
What should I do?
You do not need to boil your water or take other actions. This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately.
What can I do if I notice a chlorine taste or smell?
During the temporary switch, you may notice a chlorine taste and/or odor in your drinking water. Chlorine levels will continue to meet EPA standards and are not a health risk.

• Run the cold water tap for several minutes when water is not used for several days.
• Collect and refrigerate cold tap water in an open pitcher. Be sure to collect water after running the cold water tap for two minutes. Within a few hours, the chlorine taste and odor will disappear.
• Water filters can reduce chlorine taste and smell. Be sure to use a filter certified to meet National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) standards and replace the filter cartridge as recommended by the manufacturer.

Who should take special precautions during the temporary switch to Chlorine?
Customers who normally take special precautions to remove chloramine from tap water, such as dialysis centers, medical facilities and aquatic pet owners, should continue to take the same precautions during the temporary switch to chlorine. Most methods for removing chloramine from tap water are effective in removing chlorine.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses).  You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

Every drop Counts.

Water Works District No.3 is issuing a conservation order, and asking customers to conserve water due to extreme heat and the lack of rain in the area.

The water conservation is to allow the districts water system to maintain pressure and avoid issuing a boil advisory, along with having adequate water for our fire departments to fight fires if needed. You will see some periodic flushing by the district as it is required by DHH to maintain water quality and chlorine residuals throughout the system.  

Customers can conserve water in various ways:

• Avoid watering lawns and gardens
• Avoid washing vehicles and outdoor equipment. Instead, visit a automatic carwash, as they use mainly reclaimed water that has been filtered
• Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when they are full
• Take shorter showers
• Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
• Use a blower or broom to clean off driveways and sidewalks, instead of a hose
• Repair any know leaks
• Repair leaking toilets
• Refrain from using inflatable water slides

The well-being of our customers and the integrity of our state's water infrastructure are of utmost importance. By taking these steps and being prepared, we can work together to ensure a consistent water supply for all.

With your help, this will keep the district from issuing a mandatory water conservation notice, that could result in fines. 

PRESS RELEASE
 
   WATER WORKS DISTRICT NO. 3 OF RAPIDES PARISH
 
March 31, 2020
                                                                             
It is publically reported that the former Dresser Manufacturing plant site is being investigated by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality for possible groundwater contamination. Water Works District No. 3 of Rapides Parish owns, operates and maintains a potable water well (Well No. 5) located at 8215 Hwy. 71, Pineville, La. The water well property is adjacent to the former Dresser Manufacturing plant site.
 
Well No. 5 was drilled in 1986 and has a depth of 1,060 feet. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is mainly concerned about contamination in the upper 50’ of the site.
 
All of the District’s water wells are routinely tested by the Louisiana Department of Health for several contaminants including the contaminant of concern, being Trichloroethene. Well No. 5 has never tested positive for Trichloroethene. The most recent samples collected on March 11, 2020, indicate that the water produced by Well No. 5 is free of Trichloroethene.
 
The District recently completed maintenance work on Well No. 5. This maintenance work is completely coincidental and has absolutely no connection to the groundwater investigations being conducted by the Department of Environmental Quality.
 
Water Works District No. 3 of Rapides Parish, does and always will, hold the health and safety of our customers as our number one priority.
 
 
 
                                         Water Works District No. 3 of Rapides Parish
                                                                   P.O. Box 580
                                                           Tioga, Louisiana 71477
Jimmy French, General Manager

Water Rates
Effective January 1, 2020
Residential
	0-3,000 gallons			$   21.50
	All over 3,000 gallons			5.00
Commercial
	0-5,000 gallons			27.50
	All over 5,000 gallons			5.00
Industrial
	0-50,000 gallons			150.00
	All over 50,000 gallons			4.00
Governmental
	0-50,000 gallons			150.00
	All over 50,000 gallons			5.00
Water Districts
	0-50,000 gallons			150.00
	All over 50,000 gallons			4.45
Public Recreation Areas
	0-3,000 gallons			20.00
	All over 3,000 gallons			5.00

Water Works District No. 3 of Rapides Parish
Sexual Harassment Policy
 
 
Policy statement
Water Works District No. 3 of Rapides Parish (The District) is committed to providing a safe environment for all its employees free from harassment at work including sexual harassment.  Our sexual harassment policy aims to protect men and women in our company from unwanted sexual advances and give them guidelines to report incidents. We will also explain how we handle claims, punish sexual harassment and help victims recover. The District will treat all incidents seriously and promptly investigate all allegations of sexual harassment.  All complaints will be treated with respect and confidentiality.  No one will be victimized for making such a complaint. Any person found to have sexually harassed another will face disciplinary action, up to and including termination from employment.  The District will not tolerate sexual harassment in our workplace in any shape or form. Our culture is based on mutual respect and collaboration. Sexual harassment is a serious violation of those principles.
Scope
This policy applies to every person within the District, our employees, customers, vendors and regulatory members, regardless of gender, level, function, seniority, status or other protected characteristics. We are all obliged to comply with this policy.  The District will not tolerate sexual harassment from inside or outside of the company. Employees, investors, contractors, customers and everyone interacting with our company are covered by the present policy.
 
Policy elements
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature which makes a person feel offended, humiliated and/or intimidated.  It includes situations where a person is asked to engage in sexual activity as a condition of that person’s employment, as well as situations which create an environment that is hostile, intimidating or humiliating for the recipient.
Sexual harassment can involve one or more incidents and actions constituting harassment may be physical, verbal and non-verbal.  Examples of conduct or behavior which constitute sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:
Physical conduct
 

• Unwelcome physical contact including patting, pinching, stroking, kissing, hugging, fondling, or inappropriate touching
• Physical violence, including sexual assault
• Physical contact, e.g. touching, pinching
• The use of job-related threats or rewards to solicit sexual favors

 
Verbal conduct
 

• Comments on a worker’s appearance, age, private life, etc.
• Sexual comments, stories and jokes
• Sexual advances
• Repeated and unwanted social invitations for dates or physical intimacy
• Insults based on the sex of the worker
• Condescending or paternalistic remarks
• Sending sexually explicit messages (by phone, email, or social media) or sharing of same

Non-verbal conduct
 

• Display of sexually explicit or suggestive material
• Sexually-suggestive gestures
• Whistling
• Leering

Anyone can be a victim of sexual harassment, regardless of their sex and of the sex of the harasser.  The District recognizes that sexual harassment may also occurs between people of the same sex.  What matters is that the sexual conduct is unwanted and unwelcome by the person against whom the conduct is directed.  However, an outside observer of such conduct may also be considered a victim of the harassment, whether or not the offensive behavior was focused toward them.
All sexual harassment is prohibited whether it takes place within the District premises or outside, including social events, business trips, training sessions or conferences.
Complaint procedures
Anyone who is subjected to sexual harassment should, if possible, inform the alleged harasser that the conduct is unwanted and unwelcome.  The District recognizes that sexual harassment may occur in unequal relationships (i.e. between a supervisor and his/her employee) and that it may not be possible for the victim to confront the alleged harasser.
If a victim cannot directly approach an alleged harasser, he/she can approach one of the designated staff members responsible for receiving complaints of sexual harassment.  That person could be another supervisor, a member of the human resources department, etc.
When a designated person receives a complaint of sexual harassment, he/she will:
 

• Immediately record the dates, times and facts of the incident(s)
• Ascertain the views of the victim as to what outcome he/she wants
• Ensure that the victim understands the District’s procedures for dealing with the complaint
• Discuss and agree the next steps:  either informal or formal complaint, on the understanding that choosing to resolve the matter informally does not preclude the victim from pursuing a formal complaint if he/she is not satisfied with the outcome
• Keep a confidential record of all discussions
• Respect the choice of the victim
• Assure the victim that there will be no retaliation for bringing the complaint
• Ensure that the victim knows that they can lodge the complaint outside of the company through the relevant legal framework

Informal complaints procedures
If the victim wishes to deal with the matter informally, the designated person will:
 

• Give an opportunity to the alleged harasser to respond to the complaint
• Ensure that the alleged harasser understands the complaint
• Facilitate discussion between both parties to achieve an informal resolution which is acceptable to the complainant, or refer the matter to a designated mediator within the District to assist in resolving the matter
• Ensure that a confidential record is kept of what happens
• Follow up after to ensure that the behavior has stopped
• Ensure that the above is done speedily and within 7 days of the complaint being made (if possible)

Formal complaints procedures
If the victim wants to make a formal complaint or if the informal complaint procedure did not lead to a satisfactory outcome for the victim, the formal complaint procedure should be used to resolve the matter.
The designated person who initially received the complaint will refer the matter to a senior member of staff to instigate a formal investigation.  The person carrying out the investigation will:
 

• Interview the victim and the alleged harasser separately
• Interview other relevant third parties or witnesses separately
• Decide whether or not the incident(s) of sexual harassment took place
• Produce a report detailing the investigations, findings and any recommendations
• If the harassment took place, decide what the appropriate remedy for the victim is
• Follow up to ensure that the recommendations are implemented, that the behavior has stopped and that the victim is satisfied with the outcome.
• If it cannot determined that the harassment took place, recommendations may still be made to ensure proper functioning of the workplace
• Keep a record of all actions taken
• Ensure that all records concerning the matter are kept confidential
• Ensure that the process is done as quickly as possible and in any event within 7 days of the complaint being made (if possible)

Sanctions and disciplinary measures
Anyone who has been found to have sexually harassed another person under the terms of this policy is liable to any of the following sanctions:
 

• Verbal or written warning
• Adverse performance evaluation
• Suspension
• Termination

Implementation of this policy
Water Works District No. 3 of Rapides Parish will ensure that this policy is widely disseminated to all relevant persons.  It will be included in the staff handbook.  All new employees must be trained on the content of this policy and each year all employees must complete the sexual harassment prevention training as required by the State Civil Service.  It is the responsibility of every manager to ensure that all his/her employees are aware of this policy.
Supervisors, managers and those responsible for dealing with sexual harassment cases will report on compliance with this policy, including the number of incidents, how they were dealt with, and any recommendations made.  This will be done on an annual basis.
 

After completion of a comprehensive study by the board of commissioners for the District on the cost of producing, treating and distributing water for Water Works District No. 3 of Rapides Parish, the following changes to the residential rate schedule have been proposed.  

Old Rate                                                           New Rate 
 0-2,000 gallons                       $  14.00           0-2,000 gallons                      $  16.50
2,000-5,000 gallons                 $    4.30           All over 2,000 gallons            $    4.35
All over 5,000 gallons              $    3.70