The decades-old problem of drainage along Tete Bayou and the north end of New Iberia resurfaced at Tuesday’s New Iberia City Council meeting. 

It was the first time for City Councilman Dustin Suire to address the issue, however. When elected last year, Suire said he inherited the city’s district that has historically felt the brunt of drainage problems on the north side of town during periods of heavy rainfall.

To fix the problem, Suire introduced the agenda item of sending a recommendation to the U.S. Corps of Engineers to address the issue. Suire referenced two studies done about the problem, one in 1981 and the other in 2011, and said they pointed out similar problems and solutions.

“Having all the information at hand, we’ve done study after study and spent thousands of dollars,” Suire said. “I think it’s time we take the next step and reach out to the state.”

Iberia Parish Councilman Ricky Gonsoulin even appeared at the meeting to agree. Gonsoulin spoke at the beginning of the meeting to stress that a new approach needed to be taken to Tete Bayou drainage.

“When we (parish government) went to clean Tete Bayou out it worked dramatically,” Gonsoulin said. “But as we see the community growing on that side of town, it’s clear that we can’t dig Tete Bayou any wider to accommodate the drainage. That’s foreseen at the new school going up at Belle Place, we’re having to dig up a two-acre retention pond to hold the water because we don’t want to exacerbate the water going to Tete Bayou.”

Gonsoulin said he hoped the city would approve a resolution along with the parish for support from the Corps.

“This may be two years down the road but we need to start to improve our drainage and make sure our citizens are protected,” he said.

One of Gonsoulin’s suggestions was for the corps to dredge farther up near Lake Dauterive to alleviate flooding. Suire’s suggestion was a drainage box, similar to the one installed behind Dauterive Hospital in 2011.  

“Tete Bayou itself was cleaned three years ago, but now its got trees growing through it, its got debris through it,” Suire said. “I’m trying to let the people be aware this is actually a major tributary for the north side of town.”

New Iberia Public Works Director Leroy Landry also was asked his take on the situation. Landry suggested the best option would be to create a diversion into the Bayou Teche near Emilie Verret Road or Terrell Court.

“It’s going to be your shortest distance, so less cost,” Landry said. “Something can be done at the lake, but it will take a long time to work it out through the corps.”

DeCourt said the recommendation would be voted on at a future meeting.