PORT ARTHUR, Texas — The pump system at Jefferson County's Drainage District 7 is working overtime to keep up with heavy rains in Southeast Texas, and a new expansion to the district's current pumping operations is expected to increase its pumping capacity.
Preparation for the heavy rainfalls involves advance planning, and for DD7, advanced pumping. Pumping began days in advance to prepare for the heavy rainfall hitting Southeast Texas.
The district's pumps help move millions of gallons of water from ditches and canals to keep neighborhoods from flooding.
Ronnie Hollier is a supervisor for DD7.
He said all 20 pumps were running and manned during the Wednesday's heavy rains.
He also said the fuel tanks were topped off to prepare for potential power outages.
"We also have an agreement with local vendors. We have done it with events like this one. We will place additional fuel trucks at selective stations," said Ronnie Hollier.
DD7 encompasses several different departments. One maintains ditches and canals, and another inspects hurricane levees. A third department handles the maintenance at the pump stations.
Each of these departments monitors potential issues throughout the year.
Before severe weather hits, crews are out clearing ditches, drains and culverts to keep water flowing into DD7 canals.
RELATED: Residents talk with Jefferson County DD7 about alleged problems with drainage during Harvey
DD7 has been working on an annex to its largest pump station at Alligator Bayou, off of Highway 87 in Port Arthur to improve and expand current operations.
The new annex will add an extra 1.5 million gallon pumping system.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.
Drainage District 7 handles Mid County and Port Arthur.
To find out if you are part of DD7, click here.
