$695,000 EPA grant to fix home sewage, monitor water

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DONALDSONVILLE, La. (AP) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is providing nearly $700,000 to help fix home sewage systems in the Bayou Lafourche Watershed and show how that improves drinking water.
  
Region 4 administrator Mary Walker says the project will foster environmental protection, education and awareness.
  
An announcement Wednesday in Atlanta said $695,600 is going to the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium and Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program .
  
The grant will pay half the cost of repairs up to $1,000 for at least 200 home sewage systems, and for water quality monitoring before and after the work. The program also will teach homeowners how to maintain their systems.
  
The main areas served will be Donaldsonville, Thibodaux, Raceland, Mathews, and Lockport.
  
Officials hope the program encourages other homeowners to repair and maintain their sewage systems.