The Hurricane Katrina Project

Hurricane Katrina destroyed huge tracts of New Orleans. Not just the homes and real estate in general, but the offshore oil rigs that were serviced by their local shipyards. Now, with shipyards taking on immense repairs, a creative way to house their workers had to be found. ASAP.

Many river barges were no longer in use. Worker housing could be built on them. But what about sewage? Louisiana couldn’t allow a force of 120 workers to dump its effluent directly into the rivers and bayous.

The answer: SludgeHammer.

We rushed to the scene, demonstrated the technology, and proved it would work. Another crucial factor -- we could get it up and running almost immediately.

Sure enough, we signed the deal, and in only three weeks this floating hotel had a fully functioning secondary wastewater treatment system capable of handling a 6,000 gpd load.

Everything about this project was innovative. Shipping containers serving as individual apartments, were combined with shower and toilet facilities. The workers even had a cafeteria.

Implementing the wastewater treatment plant was a challenge but the unique flexibility and portability of SludgeHammer’s ABG technology got it up and running even before the housing was done. The client got the necessary housing, and was able to protect the sensitive river without having to interrupt its own work.